WBRZ - Baton Rouge

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the near-historic Mississippi River flood of 2011 caused $2.8 billion in damage and tested the system of levees, reservoirs and floodways like no other flood before it.

A report released today said the Mississippi River and Tributaries system worked as it was designed to, and was successful in fighting the flood.

However, the report said the flood exposed vulnerabilities in many system components and the plans used to operate them.

The report said there is room for improvement in nearly all areas of the system.

The flood affected the lower Mississippi River states of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.