CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids homeowners in the 100 year flood plain are wondering whether to rebuild or move on. The waiting game is especially difficult for those who have a FEMA check in hand. They're trying to figure out whether to put the money into fixing their flooded home or using it to buy or rent a new one. Both FEMA and the city say it's very important to understand situations change from property to property.

Claire Hanson looks after the owner of a flooded house on Fourth Avenue Southwest, right next to Interstate 380. As his guardian and conservator, Hanson's helping the homeowner figure out the future of his childhood home.

"There's a lot of frustration. People are very polite to me but don't give me any answers," says Claire Hanson.

Hanson feels like FEMA and the city of Cedar Rapids are giving her the run-around. Two city inspectors who happened to show up during our interview told her they were simply collecting data in this 100-year-flood plain neighborhood. Hanson appreciates their work but wants to know how to handle the homeowner's check from FEMA.

"I'd like to know what I can do with the money," says Hanson.

A FEMA representative says disaster assistance funds don't have designations. Homeowners can use the money to secure a safe and functional housing situation, whether that be to repair, rebuild, or move on. But they must keep all receipts for at least three years. Hanson's next question is what the city will allow them to do.

"What I recommend of anyone in the 100 year flood area that do not have current elevation of one foot about the 100 year flood plain is count all the costs and know exactly what is going on before spend any money on the property," says Jim Thatcher, a Cedar Rapids Fire Marshall.

Because properties in the 100 year flood plain with damage costs more than 50 percent of the home's assessed value have to be one foot above the flood plain.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Marshall says the first step is stabilize the house, clean it up, and then evaluate the damage before applying for foundation or structural permits.

The fire marshall says the best way to know how much damage is at your home is to get a damage report from FEMA. Or you can pick up a flood plain packets at the city's temporary office at Westdale Mall. It helps homeowners to assess their own damage.