Ala. Gov. Notes More than $5.2 Million in Federal Disaster Funds for City of Birmingham

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley announced more than $5.2 million in federal funding for the City of Birmingham as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The funding is a result of projects identified following severe storms and flooding that occurred in May 2003.

“I appreciate FEMA approving these projects in the Birmingham area so that residents will not have to go through the painful experience of losing property over and over because of flooding,” Gov. Riley said

The approved funding is for 46 floodway properties located along Village Creek, Five mile, and Shades Creek. The funding is provided to the City of Birmingham to acquire the property so the land can no longer be used for residential property.

“Buyouts are an important way to reduce the risk of damage from future disasters and we know that taxpayers save twice the amount of every dollar spent on disaster mitigation projects,” said AEMA Director Bruce Baughman.

Gov. Riley also announced more than $2.9 million is included in this funding for Pre-Disaster Mitigation for the City of Birmingham to eliminate the flood hazards to approximately 70 properties in Valley Creek. The entire acquisition and demolition project is in the City of Birmingham and includes properties in the neighborhoods of Princeton, Roosevelt City and Graymont. Reportedly, this project will significantly reduce the post-disaster costs incurred by the city, state and federal governments in addressing flooding along Valley Creek.

The funding is based on a grant agreement between the State of Alabama and the City of Birmingham.