Katrina flood lawsuit blames Army Corps

NEW ORLEANS, April 20 (UPI) -- A civil lawsuit blaming the Army Corps of Engineers for the massive flooding that inundated New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina began Monday, observers said.

The groundbreaking suit focuses on the planning and maintenance by the corps of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, a waterway that city residents filing the suit claim eroded protective wetlands and enabled the flooding that destroyed their homes and businesses during the 2005 hurricane, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune newspaper reported.

Observers said the trial is expected to last up to a month and will be conducted by U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval without a jury.

Attorneys for the corps argue the 1963-built shipping channel, known as MR-GO, wasn't responsible for the flooding and only better hurricane protection levees could have held back Katrina's surge.

A victory for the New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish plaintiffs could result in settlements for tens of thousands of city dwellers who have filed personal injury, property damage and wrongful death claims since the epic flood, the Los Angeles Times reported.