After eight years, more than 200 Fernley flood victims can now rest after they won the case against the local irrigation district. The Fernley flood victims will receive $18.1 million over the damages they sustained after the century-old irrigation canal broke and flooded their homes in 2008.
The flood happened on Jan.5, 2008 when the old canal was damaged and brought water to the Fernley residents in northern Nevada. As reported by ABC News Go, no one was harmed in the flooding incident. However, 590 homes were flooded with 2-foot-tall wave while in some areas, water reached to a tall of 8 feet. During the time, residents were rescued through helicopters and boats.
"The settlement finally brings closure to those who were harmed through no fault of their own," said Patrick Leverty, lead co-counsel for the plaintiffs, according to Review Journal.
As Daily Mail reported, the century-old canal was a significant part of the country's first federal project that was initiated in 1903. It was managed by Truckee-Carson Irrigation District (TCID), but owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. After the bureau's investigation, it was found that burrowing rodents caused damage to the canal. In 2012, a decision of the federal jury said that the district is liable for the Fernley flood. According to the jury, the district's negligence in maintaining the canal also contributed to the flood. During the time, the district committed to a settlement of $10 million, but backed out.
Judy Kroshus, lead plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit filed against the local irrigation district, said that her experience in the Fernley flood was scary. She was with her then 2-year-old grandchild when they were stranded by water up to the windshield of the car. Luckily she and her grandchild were saved by her son. Kroshus, one of the Fernley flood victims was forced to sell her flood-damaged residence and transfer to a new home far from the flood area.
The settlement between the Fernley flood victims and the local irrigation district includes nearly $7.8 million to pay for lawyer's fees and other expenses.
