CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids homeowners living outside the 100-year flood plain now have the city's blessing to do any and all flood-related repair work.

On 11th Street NW, the edge of the flood zone, homeowners couldn't get building permits to start actual reconstruction and rebuilding work, until now.

Last week, permits were available in the outer areas to start electrical, mechanical and plumbing repairs. But now anyone living outside the 100-year flood plain with the "green" or "yellow" placards can apply for any building permit necessary to begin fixing up homes.

Even people in that area with "red" do-not-enter placards can apply for permits to repair foundations. City officials say it's still to early to talk about buyout plans or new flood control measures. So homeowners who start repairs now will take some risks.

"We've heard that citizens wanted to get back in as quickly as they could to make improvements they would like...it's difficult to give precise advice on this, but certainly, it's important to stress there is a risk element involved in moving forward," said Brian Fagan, Cedar Rapids Mayor Pro-Tem.

About 1,000 homes located inside the 100-year flood plain sustained major damage. Those owners closest to the Cedar River with the "green" or "yellow" damage designations can get permits to fix mechanical things like heating and air conditioning as well as electrical and plumbing damage. But as far as building permits to do reconstruction, those inside the 100-year designation will still have to wait awhile longer.