Following the devastation in Southern Appalachia from Hurricane Helene, as well as other recent examples of destructive flooding throughout the region—particularly E. Kentucky in the summer of 2022—Invest Appalachia has created a high-level guide on understanding the FEMA Buyout Program. The summary stems from Invest Appalachia’s continued research on historic floodplains, which make up much of Appalachia’s developed landscape, and aims to provide clarity on the complexities of the buyout process. National disaster recovery non-profit SBP has partnered with Invest Appalachia to validate this research summary and help distribute it to local stakeholders. In the wake of Helene, many community partners may find this resource helpful as they assist those most affected. It is designed to be shared with nonprofits, small businesses, and local governments to help individuals considering a buyout by answering preliminary questions about this complicated and life-altering decision.

Ultimately, the choice to pursue a FEMA flood buyout is a difficult one, made in the aftermath of the tragic loss of home and community. While we recognize that buyouts do not address the root causes of persistent flooding in Appalachia, we hope this research summary better equips those navigating this difficult process. Invest Appalachia remains committed to supporting our communities through these challenges and throughout the rebuilding process.

You can find the summary linked below.