City faces millions in lawsuits over Leucadia flooding mismanagement

Coast News:

The city of Encinitas now faces three lawsuits from Leucadia homeowners after two more households filed claims last week, alleging the city’s mismanagement of its drainage system has caused repeated flooding of their properties.

Thaddeus Gardner and Timothy and Kerrilynn Calver, who own properties on Europa Street, filed lawsuits on Jan. 21, claiming that the city’s failure to properly maintain stormwater drainage systems has resulted in extensive property damage, loss of rental income and ongoing safety hazards.

Last January, heavy rainfall and flash floods wrought havoc in Leucadia, transforming the Europa Street alleyway into a knee-deep river of stormwater and damaging businesses and several homes, including residences owned by the Calvers and Gardner.