Failing levees in sixteen states prompt action

Records from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers show 114 levees in 16 states failed maintenance inspections in the last two years. According to a report by Peter Eisler in USA Today, which requested the records, their deficiencies are so severe that it can be "reasonably foreseen" that they will not perform properly in a major flood. The Corps built most of the levees and turned them over to state and local governments, which were supposed to maintain them. Now, the Corps is getting tough and advising state and local levee authorities that they no longer qualify for federal rehabilitation aid if damaged by floodwaters. IBHS has for some time emphasized the need for improved education about levees and highlighted questions that need to be asked of local officials and community leaders, so business owners and citizens can make better decisions based on an accurate understanding of responsibility and risk.