ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – A limited number of St. Charles County residents will receive buyouts for homes that were damaged in the 2019 floods.

On March 1, the county opened applications for flood buyouts after receiving a $15.7 million grant from the federal government, enough to buy back approximately 100 homes. Unfortunately, 947 property owners may be eligible for the money.

The funds will be used to buy back flooded homes in St. Charles County, Portage Des Sioux, West Alon, and parts of St. Charles City.

The county mailed letters to all 947 property owners, making them aware of the buyout. Homeowners can fill out an expression of interest form either online, by phone, or through mail.

The buyouts are “mutually voluntary,” meaning the homeowner and county must agree to the sale.

Properties will be eligible if they meet one of the following criteria:

Primary residence, a residential owner-occupied home at the time of the flood event and is the current property owner.

This also includes owner-occupants when they are:

Heirs and assigns of a deceased owner-occupant in 2019 are eligible owners.

Deployed military personnel that are owners.

Primary residence, residential owner-occupied with up to three residential tenant units within the same structure as the owner-occupant

The following properties will not be eligible:

Properties that were second homes at the time of the event.

Properties that have been sold since the 2019 flood now have a different owner.

When a property is purchased, the county will demolish the home and convert the land to open space.