2011 Flood: Corps Distracted by American Idol Finals

An independent investigation has released a report documenting the causes of the 2011 Missouri River flood.

Although record snow melts and spring rains contributed to the widespread flooding, the report finds that members of the local Army Corps of Engineers were distracted by the Fox Television show "American Idol".

Corp members followed each episode of the competition, from early auditions through the final competition between Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery.

Last year's series spanned the months of January, 2011 through May of last year.  Unfortunately, during this time water levels in the Missouri reservoirs increased to dangerously high levels--escaping the notice of the Corps of Engineers.

 "This was one of the best American Idol years yet!" explained Sgt. Wealy Amlets.  "Simon was gone, we had new judges...who knew what was going to happen!"

As the river backup reached critical levels, Corps members spent their non-TV time posting on American Idol discussion boards, watching Youtube reruns, and even staged their own "Engineer Idol" competition.

"I guess we sort of took our eyes off the ball," commented Cpl. Jon Kingsley. (Kingsley played the part of Ryan Seacrest during the Yankton Division competitions.)

By the time the American Idol competition ended (with McCreery named the winner), the Corps of Engineers were forced to release unprecedented volumes of water through all six major dams, leading to flooding from North Dakota to Kansas.

Major Felix Rodney was the commanding officer of the Corps of Engineers Missouri River Basin Management Division during the first half of 2011.  Based on the findings of the report, Major Rodney was asked what changes he would have made during those critical months.

"I would have doubled up my votes for Lauren."