Homeowners Lose Oregon Landslide Lawsuit

A jury has ruled that Benton County does not have to compensate a Colorado couple who lost their Corvallis-area home to a landslide.

The suit filed by Bob and Gayna Flake claimed their more than $800,000 loss constituted an “inverse condemnation” by Benton County because the county-maintained drainage system diverted runoff onto their Vineyard Mountain property.

The Gazette-Times reported the home was knocked off its foundations during heavy rains in January 2012.

The Flakes got no money from their insurance company because damage from earth movement is not covered by the policy.