On Friday a legislative committee approved a $95 million payment to families and businesses in Tangipahoa Parish that suffered flood damages in 1983 caused by the construction of I-12.
The payment was approved without dissent by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, which includes House and Senate leaders.
Friday’s vote will allow the money to be moved to an escrow account, and eventually to the more than 1,200 victims.
During rains in April of 1983 the newly opened I-12 acted like a large levee and resulted in floodwaters from the Tangipahoa River being diverted into homes and businesses.
A jury in 1999 concluded that the I-12 bridge over the river did not change elevation crossing the river as it should have and awarded plaintiffs in a lawsuit $92 million.
Now a district judge will approve the payment, which will then allow a special master to decide how much individuals and businesses are owed.
