Owners Of Flood-damaged ND Homes Left Wondering

Homeowners who qualify for buyouts are offered the pre-flood value of their house, based on the average of two appraisals. Cass County has posted each homeowner's cost-benefit ratio on its Web site.

The Strehlows were told they're likely low on FEMA's priority list, mainly because their French country-style, two-story home wasn't built below the average 10-year flood level. Cass County officials said it appears that only homes with main floors built below that level would qualify for FEMA assistance. That would cover only about 10 percent of homeowners who applied.

Now the Strehlows aren't sure whether their home is worth fixing.

It's a dilemma facing dozens of homeowners along the Red River near Fargo, and they likely are just the first of many people who will face the choice. The Fargo area is farther along in the process, according to the state Emergency Services Department, which works with FEMA.

But other communities are still assessing damage, and some are likely to add damage from this week's heavy rain.

"Buyouts are not going to happen overnight. They take time," said Mike Hillenburg, a flood mitigation expert for FEMA. "We have to make sure it makes sense when it comes to spending taxpayer money."