The 2011 Mississippi River Flood from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Perspective

September 14, 2011

featuring Ms. Karen Durham-Aguilera, P.E., SES, Director of Contingency Operations and Office of Homeland Security, Headquarters, US Army Corps of Engineers.

In Spring of 2011, heavy rains across the Southern and Midwestern U.S. resulted in the lower Mississippi River experiencing a 500-year flood. In a rare and controversial action, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened floodgates of the Morganza Spillway in an effort to protect Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Tens of thousands of homes in Mississippi and Louisiana were ordered evacuated during this time. To discuss the 2011 Mississippi River floods, Ms. Karen Durham-Aguilera, P.E., SES, presented the Corps' actions prior to/preparation of and during this event.

• This was a joint event with the American Society of Civil Engineers, National Capital Section.
• Thank you to event sponsor KCI.