Vt. approves buyouts for 99 flooded homes (AP) — A state committee has recommended buyouts for 99 Vermont homes damaged or destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene and spring flooding last year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency now must review the applications. If approved, FEMA will pay up to 75 percent of the home's value under the program. Doherty told Vermont Public Radio (http://bit.ly/IOLF2a) that FEMA usually approves the buyouts recommended by the state. About 3,600 Vermont homes were damaged by Irene and two spring floods, said Jennifer Hollar, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Housing.