Black Homeowners in Alabama Sue State Over Flooding Damages

Residents of the historically Black Shiloh community in Alabama have filed a federal lawsuit against the state’s transportation department, accusing it of neglecting years of flood damage caused by runoff from an elevated highway expansion (US-84).

They claim the Alabama Department of Transportation violated the Fifth Amendment by effectively taking property without compensation—citing home damage, land erosion, and emotional distress.

Despite a federal resolution and a visit from former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, residents say flood mitigation efforts never materialized.

The case reflects broader environmental justice concerns, as stormwater flooding from infrastructure projects often disproportionately harms Black and low-income rural communities. Poor drainage and erosion can destroy homes and threaten health through mold and unsafe water.

09-07-2025