Lawsuits Over 2001 West Virginia Floods Settled

A series of lawsuits over catastrophic floods that swept southern West Virginia eight years ago has been settled.

Defense lawyer A.L. Emch says the agreements cover all litigation filed after the July 8, 2001 floods. Details of the deals, which haven’t received court approval, have not been disclosed.

Thousands of people sued coal producers, land owners and others, claiming that surface mining, logging and other activities contributed to what the state estimated was $143 million in damage.

Defendants blamed the 7 inches of rain that fell the day of the floods, calling it an act of God.

The state Supreme Court revived the litigation last year, overruling two circuit court decisions that favored the defense.