AquaFence
AquaFence is a reusable temporary flood and hurricane barrier made by the Norwegian manufacturer AquaFence. It is an alternative to other temporary floodwater control such as sandbags and to the building of permanent seawalls.
Design
[edit]The fencing consists of interlocking panels which are waterproof and puncture-resistant, can be bolted down to resist winds, and use the weight of floodwater to hold them in place.[1][2][3] Materials include marine-grade laminate, stainless steel, aluminum and reinforced PVC canvas.[3] The panels are reusable and can be stored flat between uses.[4] The technology was designed as an alternative to building seawalls or placing sandbags in the path of floodwaters.[4][3]
Deployment
[edit]
An AquaFence was deployed at the Tees Barrage.[5]
An AquaFence was deployed in Mount Vernon, Washington, in 2008.[5]
Tampa, Florida's only Level I trauma center is at Tampa General Hospital, which sits directly on Tampa Bay at the northern end of the Davis Islands, which are one of the city's lowest-elevation areas.[1][2][6] The hospital employs an AquaFence when a hurricane is forecast; erecting the fence requires 60 workers for three days.[1] The fence the hospital uses can withstand storm surges of 15 feet (4.6 m) and wind speeds of 130 miles (210 km) per hour, which can handle a category 3 hurricane.[1][2] The hospital used the fence for the first time during 2022's category 5 Hurricane Ian.[7] During 2023's category 4 Hurricane Idalia the fence allowed about two feet of water through.[1] It was deployed during 2024's category 3 Hurricane Helene.[8]
AquaFences have also been used to protect private properties such as luxury homes in flood-prone or hurricane-prone areas.[4]
Company
[edit]AquaFence was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Moss, Norway.[5]
AquaFence in use
[edit]September 26th, 2024 Hurricane Helene inundated the Tampa Bay area. Tampa General Hospital the only Level 1 trauma center in the region protected itself using an AquaFence floodwall. The floodwaters were several feet high. [9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Rosales, Isabella (26 September 2024). "AquaFence technology can withstand storm surges up to 15 feet". CNN.
- ^ a b c Sullivan, Dan (26 September 2024). "Tampa General builds 'AquaFence' as area hospitals brace for Helene". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ a b c Murdock, Vanessa (2014-07-31). "AquaFence Protects Buildings From Flooding - CBS New York". CBS News. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ a b c Thompson, Issy (2014-08-05). "Luxury Properties Fence Themselves Off From Flooding". New York Observer. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ a b c Miner, Gary (March 2023). "Norwegian AquaFence Offers Alternative to Sandbags". American Waterworks Association. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ Titus, Jennifer (2024-07-17). "Tampa General Hospital sits on an island just feet from the Bay. Here's how they keep patients safe during a storm". WTSP. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ Dineen, Hannah (2023-06-07). "How is Tampa General Hospital preparing for hurricane season? With 'AquaFence'". WTSP. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ Malhi, Sabrina (2024-09-26). "As Helene threatens, Florida hospitals and care facilities shore up resources". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ [1] How the AquaFence protected Tampa’s hospital during Helene