COBB COUNTY - Many flood victims, particularly in Cobb's hard hit southern cities, want the government to buy their damaged homes; however, officials say it could be two years before there's any money.

Powder Springs Mayor Pat Vaughn said Thursday that she's asked the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to consider buying 16 homes in her city. Those homes were more than 50 percent damaged by last month's disastrous flood.

"Our concern is that it could be up to two years before they (GEMA) have the money. In the meantime, these people need somewhere to live," she said. "These people are hurting and deserve an answer."

The flood damaged 93 homes in Powder Springs, officials reported.

Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins has also asked GEMA to buy 75 homes in his city, where the flood ravaged approximately 700 residences.

Jerkins concedes, however, that it will be a long process before the purchases come to fruition.

Residents have drilled city and county officials about GEMA buyouts, while others continue to voice concerns over Austell's Sweetwater Creek, which has a propensity to flood.

Jerkins said he has been trying to obtain a 1995 Army Corps of Engineers study on the creek.

"I'm going to push to get an underground tunnel to be installed in Sweetwater Creek that would go for six or seven miles and would empty downstream, where it doesn't flood," he said. "I really need that study to get going."

Vaughn and Jerkins acknowledged they haven't held any town hall meetings since the flood. Jerkins said some homeowners have come to City Council meetings, while Vaughn said she has been in regular contact with flood victims.

Jerkins invited concerned homeowners to attend the next City Council meeting Monday at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 2716 Broad Street.

Vaughn said she'll be holding meetings with small groups of homeowners, and she'll contact those people individually.