USA: Governor of New York seeking home buyouts in flood zones

Andrew M. Cuomo, the governor of New York is proposing to set aside $400 million for buying homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy, have them demolished and then turn the land into natural buffers to protect coastal communities. The buyout program is awaiting the approval of the federal housing agency, reports The New York Times. Mr Cuomo said that New York should reconsider the way it develops its coast in the light of climate change and the increasing number of extreme weather events that have affected the region.