CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Mecklenburg County could spend more than $4 million to buy as many as 50 homes that suffered serious flood damage after Tropical Storm Fay and other storms.

The voluntary program would be limited to homes damaged in floods on Aug. 27, after Fay drenched the Charlotte area, or Sept. 10. The homes also must be prone to future flooding.

Melba Adams has one of those homes. She said she woke early Aug. 27 to water that had risen to her baseboards and feared she could be electrocuted. The water had risen higher once firefighters arrived. Everything was destroyed, she said.

"I'm 75 years old, and I'm having to start over," said Adams, who is staying with her granddaughter and two young children.

Another family, the Sharmans, who live on Dunlavin Way, said although they love their flood-damaged home, they will move out if the county makes a reasonable offer.

Under the plan, the county's Storm Water Services department would spend $4 million to buy up to 30 homes, while Parks and Recreation could buy up to 20 homes using money from greenway bonds approved last year.

Most of the homes are near Briar Creek. County storm water officials will send applications to qualified homeowners on Harbinger Court, Dolphin Lane, Shannonhouse Drive and Dunlavin Way.

"The most effective way to deal with it is to acquire the property," said Mecklenburg County Storm Services director Dave Canaan.

The plan was unanimously approved Monday night by commissioners.

This is the second time the county has sought to buy properties using a "quick buy" program using only local money. The last time occurred after floods in 2003.