( CNN ) -- Weeks after flooding devastated farmland and homes in the Midwest , officials in five states said Friday that initial steps are under way for possible buyouts of property in flood zones . Flooding from the Mississippi River surrounds a home in Foley , Missouri , in late June . Illinois , Indiana , Wisconsin , Iowa and Missouri all are considering the option . Under the buyouts , residents who qualify could choose to sell their houses to the states or communities , with the Federal Emergency Management Agency supplying 75 percent of the cost . The state of Iowa has sent a notice of interest for buyouts to affected communities , said Lucinda Robertson of the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division . Iowa has asked interested residents to respond by September 12 , Robertson said . Once the responses are in , the state will review them and ask the eligible communities to fill out the necessary applications . Illinois also is at the beginning of the buyout process , said Patti Thompson of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency . The state sent out letters this week to those affected by flooding to gauge interest , Thompson said , and will wait about a month to receive their responses before determining how much money each would receive from FEMA . The state is about six to 12 months away from the actual buyout process , if interest warrants , she said . In Indiana , people in several areas have shown interest in buyouts , according to Rachel Myer of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security , and many cities and counties have begun the application process . Wisconsin Emergency Management spokeswoman Lori Getter said that state is in the `` infancy stages '' of what will be a one-year to 18-month process of buyouts . She said flooding affected about 20 communities , and some people still lack access to their homes . In Missouri , two communities have expressed interest in the buyout process , according to Susie Stonner , a public information officer for the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency . The flooding in the Midwest killed two dozen people and injured 148 , according to FEMA . Some 35,000 to 40,000 people in several states have evacuated their homes .
Five states considering plan to buy in - zone homes from residents . Those who qualify could apply to states or communities . States would pick up three quarters of the proceeds . Program could apply to Illinois , Indiana , Kentucky , Iowa and Missouri .