PORT ARTHUR – Jefferson County Drainage District Seven (DD7) has come under fire in the wake of Hurricane Harvey as many citizens point to the allegedly failed system for partial fault in the unprecedented flooding Houston received less than a month ago.
Recently gathering at the local activity center in Grove, hundreds of residents met with attorneys from the Reaud, Morgan and Quinn Law Firm to discuss possible legal action against the district for its failings, according to a news report from 12 News. In the meeting, residents were able to discuss the alleged shortfalls of the system and explore whether its inability to handle the torrential rainfall from the Category 5 storm is in part responsible for the destruction of so many area homes.
In a report by Houston’s 12 News, Phil Kelley with DD7 claimed that the issue resulted from an Alligator Bayou pumping station running out of gas and therefore was unable to perform its task. Unfortunately, according to Kelley, the pump could not be refueled due to the station itself being flooded. Kelley told 12 News that the drainage system was never without pumping capacity.
Though residents still find fault with the pumps, Kelley told 12 News that no drainage system in the world could handle the amount rainfall experienced during Harvey. Groves came in second for overall rain totals in and around Houston with 63.14 inches of rain, according to a Washington Post report.
A representative for the Reaud, Morgan and Quinn Law Firm told 12 News that while there is no current date set for a follow-up meeting, one is still in the works.
The Reaud, Morgan and Quinn Law Firm has offices in Beaumont and Houston. The firm recently posted tips on its website on submitting flood claims for Hurricane Harvey damages.