DAVENPORT, Iowa — The City of Davenport, former city administrator Corri Spiegel and HESCO are being sued by Davenport business owners over alleged losses relating to the 2019 flood that sent millions of gallons of water from the Mississippi River into downtown Davenport.
The lawsuit was brought by Timothy McDonnell, owner of Great Bedding Corp., and Paul Krutzfeldt, owner of Great River Brewery. The plaintiffs allege that the City is liable for damages for negligence in installing the HESCO barriers which broke on April 30, 2019, leading to the flooding that overtook downtown. The lawsuit said that City officials should have known that the barriers wouldn't hold from the expected force and height of the floodwaters. The lawsuit also argued the City did not follow procedures set up by a previous public works director, Mike Clarke.
According to court documents, McDonnell said he suffered $1 million in damages and $500,000 for pain and suffering, claiming that he lost all of his sales inventory, equipment, business records and more from the flooding, as well as forcing him to lose $500,000 in rental value of two commercial buildings. Krutzfeldt said he suffered $1 million in property damages and another $1 million from the loss of his commercial buildings and business income.
News 8 is waiting to hear back from legal counsel for the plaintiffs and the City of Davenport.
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