Suits dismissed against corps over Nashville flood
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a pair of lawsuits claiming the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was responsible for flood damage in 2010 to the Grand Ole Opry, Gibson Guitar and other Nashville-area businesses.
The companies claimed corps officials acted negligently in April 2010 by not lowering water levels at the Old Hickory Dam despite warnings from the National Weather Service that heavy rains were coming. When the corps did open the gates, the Cumberland River rose above the 100-year flood plain.
Government attorneys argued that the case should be dismissed because the corps was immune from prosecution under the Flood Control Act of 1928.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Todd Campbell sided with the government and ordered the lawsuits dismissed.
A third lawsuit brought by a Nashville attorney also was dismissed.
