DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld a district court ruling that prohibits a group of property owners from suing railways for damages related to a 2008 Iowa flood.
In the June 22 ruling, Justice Edward Mansfield said, “After careful review of the (Federal Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act) and authorities interpreting it, we conclude this federal law does indeed preempt the property owners’ action alleging that the railroads’ design and operation of their railroad bridges resulted in flood damage to other properties."