ATLANTA — People living in several neighborhoods on Atlanta’s west side are filing a series of lawsuits against the city, alleging they’ve lost thousands of dollars, have been forced out of their homes due to flooding and have been forced to live in inhumane conditions.
“I expect that we will file approximately 16 lawsuits. Those are the 16 households we’re representing, but that number is growing every day," attorney Meghan Jones said.
Jones is representing the families and said the issues spanned several decades and administrations.
A strong storm system roared through metro Atlanta on Sept. 14, causing flooding and muddy conditions near the campus of Clark Atlanta University and where the young family lived.
“As I ran through the sewage water, I saw the water spilling in through the windows and that triggered a swift decision to evacuate," Madhi Chaney said.
The Pittman family has made its home in Atlanta's Westside neighborhood for more than 100 years.
Siblings Tanya and Wayne Pittman said they’ve spent thousands of dollars trying to repair the damage left behind when flooding happens.
“It took several thousand dollars, I think about $7,000 just to do this half, and it will be another $7,000 to do the other half to keep the water out that comes in from the back," said Tanya Pittman.
She said it's time to hold the city accountable.
“The city is aware of the problem, but rather than addressing it directly, the city has tried to shift the blame and mislead the community," Jones said.
The City of Atlanta provided a statement that says in part:
"The City remains committed to completing the necessary sewer infrastructure improvements to abate sanitary sewer overflows, ensure adequate system capacity, reduce flooding and pollution caused by stormwater, and safeguard our citizens' public health and safety."
The Chaney-Bullock family will be filing the first lawsuit.