DOD: Engineers to review post-Katrina pumps in New Orleans

A Christian Church that apparently floated out into the road, during Hurricane Katrina, in 2005.

22 August 2008

NEW ORLEANS- The Department of Defense will hire an independent engineering company to review allegations that pumps installed in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina weren't adequately tested and might fail during a hurricane.

Acting Inspector General Gordon Heddell says he ordered his staff to begin preparing a contract for the review.

His predecessor found no criminal act or danger in the Army Corps of Engineers' decision to install 34 pumps at canals over objections from one of its engineers, Maria Garzino. She said the pumps were the wrong size and might self-destruct when started.

Hedell wrote the federal office that deals with whistleblower complaints about his decision on Aug. 8. A copy of the letter was sent to The Associated Press on Friday. (Continued)