05/26/2009

Associated Press

A group of Platte County farmers have filed suit over a levee they say has caused flooding that destroyed their crops.

The 10 farmers filed the lawsuit Friday in Platte County Circuit Court. It claims the levee protecting Kansas City Power & Light's Iatan power plant near Weston was negligently built and maintained.

They say the levee has caused flooding in the area or made flooding worse. In 2007 and 2008, floodwaters topped the levee and spread for several miles. The farmers claim the water damaged their property and destroyed their crops.

They also say while KCP&L has said it would fix the levee, the utility hasn't fulfilled those promises.

A utility spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com