35 Suing International Paper
By: Janice Park
Updated: September 1, 2009
35 neighbors have filed suit against International Paper.
They say the company flooded an entire community for weeks with oily, black water.
Nbc 10's Janice Park was on the scene last September and witnessed the flooding first hand.
Folks say the worst part of the flooding wasn't the horrible smell, but their belief that IP flooded them with toxic water filled with a cancer-causing chemical.
Dozens had to evacuate and hundreds were affected when black water gushed into their homes. Neighbors here say this wasn't a result of mother nature -- but a man made disaster. That's why one year later -- 35 are filing suit against former industry giant International Paper.
Folks like Sonny and Dolores Recoulley believe IP intentionally opened up their flood gates -- flooding an entire community for weeks. The Recoulley's say 2 feet of black water surrounded their house for 3 weeks.
The attorney heading up the class action law suit says his clients just want to make sure they're never flooded again. But they are asking for some compensation money-wise. Today, Nbc 10 spoke with Kenny Haddox, IP's spokesperson. He says with this pending litigation -- there's really nothing the company can say right now.
Folks say the worst part of the flooding wasn't the horrible smell, but their belief that IP flooded them with toxic water filled with a cancer-causing chemical.
Dozens had to evacuate and hundreds were affected when black water gushed into their homes. Neighbors here say this wasn't a result of mother nature -- but a man made disaster. That's why one year later -- 35 are filing suit against former industry giant International Paper.
Folks like Sonny and Dolores Recoulley believe IP intentionally opened up their flood gates -- flooding an entire community for weeks. The Recoulley's say 2 feet of black water surrounded their house for 3 weeks.
The attorney heading up the class action law suit says his clients just want to make sure they're never flooded again. But they are asking for some compensation money-wise. Today, Nbc 10 spoke with Kenny Haddox, IP's spokesperson. He says with this pending litigation -- there's really nothing the company can say right now.
