St. Joseph County has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase and demolish 16 homes in flood-prone areas.

The county will receive $2,162,080 in Pre-Disaster Mitigation funds.

“The Pre-Disaster Mitigation program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of loss of life and property,” said James K. Joseph, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “This project will lessen the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“These significant mitigation investments are essential in our efforts to help Indiana remain resilient and prepared before disaster strikes. Some of these areas have a long history of flood damage, and it takes these partnerships at the local, state and federal levels to identify the right solutions,” said Stephen Cox, executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

The grant provides 75-percent of the total project cost. St. Joseph County will have to pay the remaining amount.