Michigan Avoids Responsibility to Compensate Families for Catastrophic Dam Collapse

When over 100 families in Michigan lose their homes all at once from a preventable disaster, it's reasonable to think that those impacted would be compensated for their loss. But despite the massive amount of damage caused by the Edenville Dam failure in 2020 leaving families without homes and a precious local lake, the state has left them without compensation as well.

In April, the state of Michigan was found to not be responsible for any damages caused by the Edenville Dam failure that destroyed over 100 homes, ravaged communities, and drained the popular Wixom Lake near Midland, Michigan. Following the initial accident, thousands of people sued the state claiming that environmental regulators made poor decisions, such as a neglect to lower lake levels ahead of the disaster, that contributed to the failure. Despite the massive amount of damage caused by the dam's failure, Judges ruled that constant rain and a massive flood on the same day triggered the catastrophe. If the suit had succeeded, the victims of the accident would have a pathway to financial recovery.

The decision concludes a six-year long investigation into the conditions behind the accident, which found that the lake rose more than 5 feet above its normal level, overwhelming the dam's soil embankment. Notably, in 2022, a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Report found that the dam's failure was preventable and could have been anticipated, but that there was no one organization or individual at fault.

Both of the dam's previous owners filed for bankruptcy protection after the disaster, but regardless, many Michiganders continue to suffer because of the consequences of the dam's failure. Even if the state was not found to be responsible for its failure, so many consumers are left stranded without any financial recovery for the harms they have suffered. When the state avoids responsibility, it avoids the duty to care for its constituents and assist them with their recovery. Six years after losing their homes, these families are left with nothing but financial ruin and empty promises that disasters such as this will not happen again.

Information referenced in this article is from https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/michigan-is-off-the-hook-in-lawsuit-over-2020-dam-collapse-that-flooded-communities/