The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given Cedar Rapids, Iowa approval to proceed with the demolition of about 300 flood-damaged homes.

City utilities director Pat Ball says the agreement with FEMA specifies that homes that are demolished still qualify for buyouts at their values before last June's flooding. That issue has delayed action for months.

Ball says the City Council will now decide if it wants to move ahead with the demolitions.

Separately, the city is working to demolish 72 homes that received the worst damage.

Cedar Rapids officials estimate the city could buy and demolish more than 1,300 homes