Feds say they don't have to pay for Nashville flood damage

Pools both inside and outside were still green with algae after the Cumberland River sent flood waters inside the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in May. Workers continue the clean up inside Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center June 18, 2010.

Photo by The Tennessean /Chattanooga Times Free Press.

The federal government said it is immune from paying for property damage caused by the May 2010 Nashville flood, court records show.

The government is asking a federal judge in Nashville to dismiss two lawsuits seeking more than $350 million, claiming immunity under an 84-year-old federal law. Federal officials also contend the court lacks jurisdiction in the case.

The suits were filed in March by Gaylord Entertainment Co. (now Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc.), Gibson Guitar, Nissan North America and several other companies or their insurers. They contend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Weather Service were negligent in their actions in the days leading up to the historic flood.

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