State seeks immunity again from Midland dam failure lawsuit | Dam Recovery [Video]

MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) – An attorney representing more than 300 home and business owners affected by the 2020 dam failures in Midland and Gladwin Counties says the state has filed another motion for governmental immunity.

The motion filed this week is in another attempt to keep the state from being held liable for the disaster.

The Edenville Dam failed after heavy rainfall in May 2020 and sent a torrent of floodwaters downstream, where they overwhelmed the Sanford Dam. The resulting floods damaged hundreds of properties along the Tittabawassee River.

They’re dealing with plummeting home values and may have to foot the bill to improve the infrastructure. Attorney Ven Johnson said governmental immunity protections block his clients from being compensated.

“For a court not to acknowledge what the state has done to these people — it’s the state’s responsibility under the law to take care of infrastructure like dams, bridges and roads,” …