An announcement made Thursday is giving Whitesboro homeowners a renewed sense of hope after years of devastating floods.

What You Need To Know

  • The USDA's NRCS has up to $20 million available for buyouts in Whitesboro

  • It applies to properties north of Oriskany Boulevard that have experienced repetitive damage from the Sauquoit Creek flooding

  • Property owners will be contacted, and there will be public meetings

 

"I'm very excited, especially for most of my neighbors. I'm not the only one who has been through 12 floods," said Karen Hughes of Whitesboro.

"Absolutely in shock and in awe. It's a huge accomplishment for the village, for the town, and for the Whitesboro Water Warriors," said Ron Loubier of Whitesboro.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing $20 million to buy out homeowners affected by last year's Halloween storm.

It applies to homeowners living north of Oriskany Boulevard whose properties have experienced repetitive damage from the Sauquoit Creek flooding.

The goal is to create a safe place for rising water to go.

"This will no longer be houses at the end of the day. It will be more of a habitat area," said NRCS State Conservationist Blake Glover.

Whitesboro Mayor Bob Friedlander says the village is still interested in a FEMA grant, with more of a focus on businesses.

"We're gonna shift our attention on our letter of intent to try to help our local business people out more, so, not that we weren't gonna help them, but if we had put the residents and the businesses all in the pot, I would think that maybe they would have leaned toward helping the residents before they help the business," said Friedlander.

Homeowners say they have lots of questions, and there will be public meetings soon to help with that.

Interested and eligible homeowners will have their property appraised.

Landowners will be contacted, and they have until November 13 to submit an application.

The overall process is expected to take multiple years.