Group Sues Over Damage From Floods

A group of west Garden Grove residents has sued the city and the Orange County Environmental Management Agency seeking restitution for damage caused to their homes by floods during a January 1995 rainstorm.

The lawsuit, filed May 10 in Orange County Superior Court, alleges that the city and the county were negligent in maintaining parts of the Bolsa Chica and Belgrave channels. The residents argue that officials failed to notify them of a 1987 county report that identified deficiencies in the area’s flood control system.

“If we would have known we were at risk, we definitely would have had flood insurance,” said Cristy Leone, one of 44 plaintiffs.

The suit seeks an unspecified amount of damages. Deputy City Manager Michael D. Fenderson said he could not comment on the matter because the city has yet to receive a copy of the lawsuit. Dennis Bunker, the county’s liability manager, said he could not comment on pending cases.

The suit is the latest action the residents have taken against the city and the county since the flood channels swelled and sent water into their homes, soaking carpets and ruining drywall. The residents live on Belgrave Avenue and Casper, Manley and Bartlett streets in the East Gate neighborhood.

The plaintiffs said they filed claims with the city and the county last summer seeking damages, but they were denied by both agencies in December.

Christopher M. Galichon, the San Diego attorney representing the plaintiffs, estimates there is at least $25,000 in damage to each of his clients’ homes.