Bayou Corne Sinkhole Settlement Approved

It is some of the most dramatic footage I have ever seen. The images of huge trees being sucked below the surface of the water in a matter of seconds because of a massive sinkhole. That sinkhole has been a subject of controversy and legal action the past few months.

Residents who live in and around Bayou Corne will now have money in their pockets to help them relocate or repair homes that were damaged when the bayou began to swallow itself as a result of a collapsing salt dome. Many in the area hold Texas Brine, who was operating the salt mine at the time, responsible.

In the settlement a federal judge has approved a 48 million dollar class action suit brought by 269 families and residents of the Bayou Corne area. Attorney Larry Centola who was working on behalf of the plaintiffs in the case told the Louisiana Radio Network,

"The speed of getting money into people's hands combined with the amount of money that will be distributed to the class members, this is an absolute fair settlement."

It is thought that money from the settlement could be in the hands of those affected by the sinkhole as early as December of this year of January of 2015.