KOKOMO, Ind. (AP): A central Indiana city has bought several flood-damaged houses in an area that they hope to clear as part of a flood-control project. 
 
  The Kokomo Board of Public Works and Safety on Wednesday approved buying six properties for nearly $114,000. Those properties are near Wildcat Creek south of the city's downtown where severe flooding hit in April. 
 
  City attorney Lawrence McCormack says the purchase means the houses can now be demolished by city crews.
 
  The April 19 flooding damaged more than 300 homes in the city as a storm front dumped up to 5 inches of rain.  
 
  City officials have been working a flood mitigation plan, with home construction being banned in the neighborhood of the purchased houses.