Suing over flood damage

St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press: Property owners up and down the Missouri River understand the ways of the river, but not so much the decisions of government.

This is why many were dismayed in 2011 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers appeared to favor one group of river stakeholders over another. By their estimation, the memorable flooding of that year was caused in large part by corps releases from upriver.

The flooding damaged land, homes and other property across our region while those living farther north were spared. The flooding was followed by the painful realization that recovery of damages from the government apparently was prohibited by past court rulings.

These facts set the scene for the wave of hopefulness that has spread over the river region recently. The local law firm of Murphy, Taylor, Siemens and Elliott determined a U.S. Supreme Court decision from December has changed things.

Now, the law firm and willing clients are pursuing a class-action lawsuit on behalf of farmers, individuals and local governments. They will seek payment for the taking of land for public purposes.