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Floodplain Buyout (Acquisition) Program
 

Ongoing

Storm Water Services has purchased more than 275 flood-prone houses, apartment buildings and businesses that were in the floodplain. These buildings were in more than a dozen neighborhoods along various creeks. Because of the buyouts, more than 575 families have been moved out of the highest-risk sections of local floodplains.

See a list of properties purchased through this program.

The Floodplain Buyout Program includes Quick Buys.

The 2008 Quick Buy removed 37 houses from local floodplains. An additional 21 houses were bought and removed through the 2011 Quick Buy.
 

 
Heavy equipment tearing down house
Demolition of flood-prone house

 


This program also includes floodplain buyouts through the Orphan Property Acquisition Plan

Charlotte Fire Department training     Money for the buyouts comes from a combination of federal, state and local funds.  Property purchased by Storm Water Services through the Hazard Mitigation Program must meet criteria set by the federal and/or state governments.  

Buildings purchased through the Buyout Program are demolished or relocated. 

Sometimes, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police or Charlotte Fire Department crews conduct training exercises at buildings that have been acquired through the Floodplain Buyout Program.

Charlotte firefighters conduct training at a
floodplain buyout home

 

The floodplain is then restored to a natural state to store and filter excess rainfall and storm water runoff. More about how natural floodplains benefit the entire community.

Storm Water Services plans to continue buying eligible structures as funding is available.

Floodplain Buyout Program brochure 

For more information about the Floodplain Buyout Program:
Wendy Taylor, P.E., C.F.M.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services
704-432-0088
 

Wetlands in Hidden Valley
After a buyout, this lush wetland replaced
flood-prone homes in Hidden Valley