CEDAR RAPIDS (AP) - Cedar Rapids officials are outlining a first come, first-serve plan to buy homes damaged in last spring’s flooding.

The City Council on Thursday agreed with city staff members that there’s no way to fairly prioritize a list of more than 1,300 homes.

The council says homeowners must act quickly when a buyout letter arrives in the mail. They must also make sure the home’s title and abstract are in order and ready for transfer to the city. Any liens or title issues will slow the process.

The expected rush of buyouts won’t apply to 192 properties closest to the Cedar River that will be bought to make way for a greenway. The city has already started the buyout process with 167 owner who’ve signed agreements.