July 18, 2008
Wayne Residents Sue Huntington Over 2006 Storm Sewer Damage
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Wayne, WV (HNN) – Flooding along Krouts Creek in Westmoreland back on July 13-14, 2006 and again on August 30-31, 2006 has led to approximately 30 residents suing the city in Wayne County Circuit Court. Filed by attorney John Barrett, the complaint alleges that the City of Huntington did not perform proper storm water drainage maintenance which cause debris to build up.
Water from the storm backed up, overflowed and ran onto the property of the plaintiffs.
Plaintiffs seek compensation as well as injunctive relief.
Money for a study of Spring Valley flooding issues has been placed in an appropriations bill pending before the House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall. The money would allow the Corps of Engineers to do a study on the flooding problems.
The bill must still be voted on by the full House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and signed by the President.
Shortly after the damage from torrential storms, one of the plaintiffs, Debra Lucas pleaded with Huntington City Council , “I need help. Will somebody tell me what to do?” Her home and furnishings were a total loss. Husband Justin Lucas added, “We’ve lost all [the kids] toys and they awaken terrified of rain and water.”
The residents told council that the Westmoreland/Spring Valley Flood Control Project had caused homes to flood. Brian Bradley told council at the July 2006 meeting, “[the Corps] needs to go to the other end of the valley and dig out all the fill dirt they backed it up with, open up the culvert, and that would cure it. Before they put the culvert in, it did not flood,” Bradley explained.
The Corps of Engineers went on record following the August 2006 flooding that the issue did not evolve from the federal project.
Following the August flooding, some Spring Valley residents said they would hire an attorney to address their losses.
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Wayne Residents Sue Huntington Over 2006 Storm Sewer Damage
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Wayne, WV (HNN) – Flooding along Krouts Creek in Westmoreland back on July 13-14, 2006 and again on August 30-31, 2006 has led to approximately 30 residents suing the city in Wayne County Circuit Court. Filed by attorney John Barrett, the complaint alleges that the City of Huntington did not perform proper storm water drainage maintenance which cause debris to build up.
Water from the storm backed up, overflowed and ran onto the property of the plaintiffs.
Plaintiffs seek compensation as well as injunctive relief.
Money for a study of Spring Valley flooding issues has been placed in an appropriations bill pending before the House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall. The money would allow the Corps of Engineers to do a study on the flooding problems.
The bill must still be voted on by the full House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and signed by the President.
Shortly after the damage from torrential storms, one of the plaintiffs, Debra Lucas pleaded with Huntington City Council , “I need help. Will somebody tell me what to do?” Her home and furnishings were a total loss. Husband Justin Lucas added, “We’ve lost all [the kids] toys and they awaken terrified of rain and water.”
The residents told council that the Westmoreland/Spring Valley Flood Control Project had caused homes to flood. Brian Bradley told council at the July 2006 meeting, “[the Corps] needs to go to the other end of the valley and dig out all the fill dirt they backed it up with, open up the culvert, and that would cure it. Before they put the culvert in, it did not flood,” Bradley explained.
The Corps of Engineers went on record following the August 2006 flooding that the issue did not evolve from the federal project.
Following the August flooding, some Spring Valley residents said they would hire an attorney to address their losses.
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