Federal Circuit Affirms Government Liability for Upstream Hurricane Harvey Flooding

Late yesterday the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a decision that delivers a significant victory for property owners affected by upstream flooding from the Addicks and Barker reservoirs during Hurricane Harvey. The three-judge panel unanimously affirmed the government’s liability, finding that the Corps of Engineers knew or should have known since the dams’ construction that severe storms would cause the reservoirs to overflow and flood private […]

Addicks and Barker Reservoirs homeowners have limited options to sue if their homes flood again

Wording in a court judgment prevents homeowners in the giant reservoirs west of Houston from suing the federal government in future floods and could place a heavier burden on lower-income residents. Read the full article here: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/flooding/2023/02/13/443518/addicks-and-barker-reservoirs-homeowners-have-limited-options-to-sue-if-their-homes-flood-again/

Addicks, Barker Reservoir upstream judgment excludes homeowners who bought post-Harvey 

Under the ruling, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers won’t have to compensate homeowners who bought their property after August 30, 2017 if the land floods again.  Read more here: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/flooding/2022/11/30/438376/the-addicks-and-barker-reservoir-upstream-judgment-excludes-homeowners-who-bought-their-homes-after-harvey/ 

Ruling Exposes Gov’t to More than $1B in Damages Because of Harvey Flooding 

A federal court last week found the US government liable for $455,000 in damages to six claimants whose homes were flooded by water backed up behind two dams near Houston during Hurricane Harvey — but that’s just for starters.   Read more here: https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/southcentral/2022/11/04/313609.htm 

Trial Win

Upstream Addicks and Barker Reservoir homeowners win $550,000 in damages in lawsuit over Harvey flooding. Read more here: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/flooding/2022/11/02/436618/upstream-addicks-and-barker-reservoir-homeowners-win-550000-in-damages-in-lawsuit-over-harvey-flooding/?utm_source=twitter-share-attachment&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=hpm-share-link

The Fight Continues for Upstream Flood Victims

Five years ago… Although the rains for Harvey began several days earlier, it was not until the early hours of Monday August 28, 2017, that the Addicks and Barker pools impounded by the Corps began to reach private property. By the morning of that Monday, the first homes, businesses, schools and churches began to flood. […]