The Sauquoit Creek is the source of concern for many Whitesboro homeowners every time it rains.

Ron Loubier has lived in Whitesboro for 18 years.

“I moved here because I met my wife-now, and liked the area. It’s a great village,” he said.

Loubier said his family was told their house “never really flooded” when they purchased it.

“Was living in it for two or three years, and then the ‘17 floods, then the ‘19 flood,” Loubier said. “It just got worse, and hit the first floor. Due to the safety of our family, enough was enough, we had to get out.”

Loubier began the Whitesboro Water Warriors group, pushing for a buyout. A buyout may be happening thanks to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Loubier said property owners recently received buyout offers from the NRCS.

“Very pleased with the numbers that at least we received,” he said. “I spoke, as I said, to other people that are happy with the numbers and I believe are going to accept the offer, but there’s still that waiting period.”

The wait Loubier is talking about is the time before the NRCS actually potentially takes over the properties. Loubier said the buyout is dependent on how many people accept the NRCS’ offers. Property owners have until Monday, May 16 to accept.

In the meantime, Whitesboro property owners eligible for the buyout will continue to pay taxes.

"The Town of Whitestown recognizes homeowners who submitted an application to the NRCS EWPP Floodplain Easement Program (Buyout Program) have suffered from repetitive flooding and, consequently, financial loss," Whitestown Town Supervisor Shaun Kaleta said. "However, a property owner is subject to property taxes as long as they own their property, regardless of where they may reside. With that said, the hardships experienced by repetitive flood loss victims is why the Town of Whitestown sought and successfully secured at least $29 million from NRCS for buyouts. While the NRCS EWPP Floodplain Easement Program is a process, NRCS and the Town, as project sponsor, are working as expeditiously as possible to provide homeowners with the long-sought-after assistance they deserve. Although not immediate, if successful, the NRCS EWPP Floodplain Easement Program will provide applicants with the relief they are looking for – funding to purchase another home and relocate or funding to sell a home they are no longer living in."