US district judge Stanwood Duval has ruled that negligence by the US Army Corps of Engineers led to massive floods in parts of New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. It was the first time a US court has found the federal government directly responsible for some of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
The court upheld complaints by six residents and a business against the Corps over its maintenance the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet. They were awarded damages totaling $720,000, and the ruling could lead to thousands more claims. The Corps is responsible for maintaining a system of canals and earthworks that protect New Orleans from storm surges. About 80% of New Orleans was flooded by Hurricane Katrina. More than 1,800 people died on the US Gulf coast in the devastating storm.
Article continues: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8367702.stm
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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