If you are considering pursuing a flood lawsuit, contact James F. Humphreys & Associates in Charleston, West Virginia to arrange a free consultation with our lawyers.
Charleston Office:
United Center, Suite 800
500 Virginia Street East
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Telephone: (304) 553-0457
Fax: (304) 347-5055
Toll Free: (866) 804-3235
Washington, DC Office:
1200 New Hampshire Ave
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 448-9629
Fax: (202) 223-3595
Toll Free: (866) 804-3235
West Virginia Flood Damage Lawyers
If you live near a mining or logging area and have sustained significant losses due to flooding, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the responsible parties. For more information on flood lawsuits in West Virginia, contact the lawyers at James F. Humphreys & Associates in Charleston.
- What Causes Floods?
- What Do Strip Mining and Logging Have to Do with Flooding?
- Can Mining and Logging Companies Be Held Accountable for Flooding?
What Causes Floods?
Floods are usually caused when a rainstorm stalls over one location for an extended period of time. This results in more precipitation than usual, which cannot be absorbed by the ground. The runoff accumulates in low areas such as creeks and streams, which eventually wind their way to rivers, lakes, and manmade drainage systems. When rainfall is heavy, the runoff may be too significant to be contained by these natural and artificial drainage systems. The rising waters can overflow certain areas, causing significant damage to property and potentially harming people caught in the flood’s path.
What Do Strip Mining and Logging Have to Do with Flooding?
West Virginia has seen a resurgence in strip mining in recent years since some federal regulations were relaxed. Studies have been performed that indicate that these changes have had a negative environmental impact. In the Appalachians, the preferred technique of mining coal is called hilltop mining. This involves using dynamite and machinery to literally remove the top of a hill, exposing deposits of coal for mining. Hilltop mining removes earth from high areas and dumps it into valleys, which are natural drainage areas. This can block the routes of creeks and streams, and such blockage could cause the buildup of runoff. During a rainstorm, these blockages may burst, and flooding could ensue downstream.
Logging may have an even greater effect on flooding. Lumber companies deforest sections of the countryside, leaving behind barren earth. When there is significant rainfall, these denuded areas shed more runoff because of the lack of foliage and ground cover. This increases the likelihood of flooding for communities that are downstream from logging areas.
Can Mining and Logging Companies Be Held Accountable for Flooding?
There are currently a number of lawsuits levied at mining and logging companies for damages caused by flooding. The number and severity of floods have increased in recent years, and many West Virginia residents are seeking compensation from those responsible. For more information on flood lawsuits in West Virginia, contact the lawyers at James F. Humphreys & Associates in Charleston. We can review your claim and help you protect your legal rights.