Topic: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
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Five of the costliest US river floods
The 2011 Mississippi River flood, which has broken records in some places, is creating steady destruction in America's midsection. Hurricanes tend to cause more financial damage, and flash floods typically take more lives. But overflowing rivers deliver a long, slow economic punch. Arkansas farmers have lost an estimated $500 million in crops to this year's flood. Mississippi homes and catfish farms – a leading industry – are threatened. In Louisiana, the diversion of water through a spillway to spare Baton Rouge and New Orleans still puts hundreds of homes, businesses, and chemical plants and oil refineries at risk. Total damages could run into the billions. Here's a look at five of the most expensive river floods in the US, according to estimates from the National Weather Service and historical accounts (reported in 2011 dollars):
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 05/15
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In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Mississippi flooding
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/09
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In Pictures: Mississippi River floods
All Content
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Drought's winter toll: Mississippi barges face losses while US blasts river (+video)
Traffic along 180 miles of the drought-stricken Mississippi will be curtailed for a month, at a cost of billions to the barging industry, to allow the US to blast rock formations and raise river levels.
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Stubborn US drought could be costlier than hurricane Sandy
As drought conditions persist across the South, hitting farmers and ranchers, parts of the Mississippi River are on the verge of becoming unnavigable. The potential costs are large.
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Sandy recovery claims mount. How much will a divided Congress pay? (+video)
Congress may be wrangling over the 'fiscal cliff,' but budget experts are confident that both parties will agree to provide billions in Sandy recovery aid sought by Northeastern governors.
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In Superstorm's wake: Erosion and questions on government-funded sand
Hurricane Sandy caused major erosion along the New Jersey coastline, slimming beaches significantly. Some question the wisdom of using federal funding to build up beaches that just get washed away.
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The Monitor's View: Good riddance, Sandy. Hello sea barriers?
Individuals and government have done much that is praiseworthy in the recovery effort following superstorm Sandy. But what should be done to prevent the next disaster?
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In Sandy's aftermath, military brings rescue swimmers and 'bucket trucks'
The US military has manpower, equipment, and skills that make it uniquely suited to disaster relief. In the aftermath of hurricane Sandy, it is filling in important gaps.
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Backchannels
Shades of Iraq in Afghanistan? Problems with shoddy contracting workA Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report singled out a $78 million contract to build a garrison for the Afghan National Army as of particular concern.
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Army Corps not liable for Katrina damage, appeals panel finds
New Orleans residents were dealt a setback Monday when a federal appeals panel, upending its own earlier decision, ruled that the US Army Corps of Engineers cannot be sued for damages stemming from losses sustained after hurricane Katrina.
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Asian carp policy: Is it keeping Obama and Romney up at night?
Nah. But the issue resonates in (battleground) states around the Great Lakes, so the Romney and Obama camps outlined their approaches to dealing with a prospective Asian carp invasion.
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Hurricane Isaac: New Orleans withstanding storm with levees – and levity (+video)
Seven years after New Orleans suffered catastrophic flood damage from hurricane Katrina, 'rude' Isaac is causing widespread power failures and downed trees, but the new levees are holding.
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Hurricane Isaac: New Orleans braces for test of its storm preparations (+video)
With maximum winds from Hurricane Isaac expected to be 80 miles an hour, the storm's main threat is posed by water. The new New Orleans surge barrier has been closed for the first time.
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Hurricane Isaac slows, sucking up energy over the Gulf (+video)
Hurricane Isaac is crawling along at 10 m.p.h., and winds hit 75 m.p.h. as Isaac gained strength moving over the warm, open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Isaac is forecast to reach New Orleans early Wednesday morning.
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As Isaac nears hurricane strength, New Orleans braces for flooding (+video)
Isaac is forecast to become a category 1 hurricane today, bringing 14 inches of rain and storm surges of up to 12 feet. Hurricane Isaac will be the first test of post-Katrina levee improvements in New Orleans.
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Could tropical storm Isaac actually help break US drought?
Tropical storm Isaac is bearing down on the Gulf Coast, but once it gets inland, it is expected to bring much needed rain to drought-hit farmlands.
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Twice as many mega rainstorms in Midwest in past 50 years
Wisconsin saw the biggest rise (203 percent) in extreme rainstorms – 3 inches of rain or more in a day, new study says. Climate change is behind more Midwest flooding, say scientists.
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Clamoring for the future, Savannah has to first deal with the wreck of the CSS Georgia
A scuttled Civil War battleship at the bottom of the Savannah River is just one of many complicating factors in Savannah’s bid to become a port able to handle 1,200-foot mega tankers expected to start moving through the Panama Canal in 2014.
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Hey, what happened to winter? What its wimpiness portends for spring.
Despite a few powerful snowstorms, the winter of 2011-12, with record-breaking temperatures and less precipitation than normal, has been the fourth warmest on record in the US. What gives?
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Why Asian carp are such a threat
Five states failed to secure an injunction that would close shipping locks in an attempt to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. What's so bad about Asian carp?
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Supreme Court rejects Asian carp appeal
The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by five states who seek stronger measures for keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes.
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Global warming: winners and losers in the Arctic's 'new normal'
The Arctic Report Card study suggests that changes at the top of the world have led to unusual weather patterns, a greener Greenland, and lots of plankton. At least the whales are pleased.
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Plot to bomb Capitol with explosive-laden model planes foiled, FBI says
Rezwan Ferdaus was arrested in Massachusetts Wednesday, charged with plotting to kill US soldiers overseas as well as to attack the Pentagon and the US Capitol with explosives carried by remote control aircraft.
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Decoder Wire
Washington Monument isn't falling, but it's not reopening soon, eitherThe magnitude-5.8 earthquake that shook the Washington Monument in August will keep it closed indefinitely. It's the latest natural blow to the Washington Monument.
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Tropical storm Lee threatens flooding in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi
Tropical Storm Lee now has winds approaching 60 miles per hour. Louisiana has heavy rain, and authorities warn of flooding in Alabama and Mississippi as well. States of emergency have been declared.
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The Monitor's View: Texas toasts but will it conserve?
The Lone Start State is breaking heat and drought records this summer, with no end in sight. But it's record on conserving water is so-so at best.
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Asian carp: DNA evidence finds something fishy near Lake Michigan
The failure of a recent expedition to find any invasive Asian carp near Lake Michigan – though DNA traces say they are there – has shipping interests claiming victory and others calling foul.
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