Latest news with #AquaFence
Axios
07-08-2025
- Climate
- Axios
7 storm solutions other cities and states are testing out
New Orleans isn't the only city adapting to worsening storms and flooding. Why it matters: Nearly half the world's population lives near coasts, according to The Nature Conservancy, making flooding and erosion a growing threat to millions. Here's a look at what other communities are doing. 🌊 Tampa: Tampa General Hospital deploys an AquaFence flood wall before storms to block rising water. See it in action. Ohio State University also uses one, according to the flood wall manufacturer. The Massachusetts Port Authority in Boston has one for storm surge, too. 🚧 Florida: Babcock Ranch is a planned community in southwest Florida designed to withstand storms — underground utilities, higher elevation, solar systems and an extensive drainage infrastructure, according to Time. When their neighboring communities lost power and flooded during Category 4 Hurricane Ian, they didn't, the story says. 🦪 New York: The Billion Oyster Project is building oyster reefs in New York Harbor to protect the shoreline from storm surge and erosion. 🔌 Baltimore: City leaders started their resilience hub in 2014 and the concept spread to other cities, including New Orleans, Miami and San Francisco, Pew says. These neighborhood centers coordinate multilingual disaster response and double as temporary shelters and cooling spaces. 🌾 New Jersey: The Nature Conservancy is studying how restored marshes, oyster reefs and living shorelines can help coastal communities after Superstorm Sandy.
Axios
06-08-2025
- Health
- Axios
St. Pete installs Aquafence ahead of peak hurricane season
The City of St. Petersburg installed an Aquafence flood barrier system at one of its downtown lift stations, which collects wastewater for about a quarter of the city's population. Why it matters: The installation of the flood barrier comes as the height of hurricane season nears, and after city officials had to shut off two of its sewer treatment plants because of Hurricane Milton. The big picture: Lift Station 85 provides wastewater services to the city's hospitals, assisted living facilities, hurricane shelters and Emergency Operations Center, according to a press release. The flood barrier is intended to protect the lift station from storm surge and ultimately minimize service interruptions. Flashback: AquaFence went viral last year as footage showed the flood barrier system protecting Tampa General Hospital from Hurricane Helene's storm surge. The company opened an office in Tampa earlier this year.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tampa General Hospital adding AquaFence again this year to prevent storm surge
The Brief Tampa General Hospital discussed its preparations for the hurricane season. The plans include the AquaFence, which protected the hospital from a potentially devastating storm surge last year. This year, TGH will also install an interior AquaFence to protect critical areas on the lower level. TAMPA - Tampa General Hospital leaders laid out their plan to protect the hospital during the 2025 hurricane season, during a news conference and tour on Wednesday. The AquaFence, which is TGH's first line of defense, successfully prevented Hurricane Helene's storm surge from flooding the hospital. It can reach up nine feet high, is bolted into the ground and protects against a 15-foot storm and 140-mile-an-hour winds. Dustin Pasteur, the hospital's Senior Vice President of Facilities and Construction, said more water helps strengthen the fence. "The more water you get, the stronger the system becomes because it's compressing all of these gaskets more and more together and down to the road tighter," Pasteur said. Pasteur said TGH will be adding a new interior AquaFence this year to protect departments on the lower level, including the emergency center, surgery services and the sterile procession department. What they're saying "We're bringing in a seven-and-a-half-foot AquaFence to put in the halls of the hospital and around the sterile processing department, because the first floor of the hospital is at 12 feet," Pasteur explained. "If you had a storm surge more than 15 feet, you could end up with a few feet of water in the hospital. This will protect that department." While the AquaFence is the first layer of protection, there are several more that have been added in recent years: workers will cover the manholes around the facility; there are emergency water wells for clean drinking water; and the hospital has an emergency generator room that raised 30 feet above ground to keep it safe from flooding. Hospital administrators also ensure enough supplies are brought in prior to a storm. "We receive over 10 semi-truck loads of supplies, including medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, food, water, linen, to make sure we can care for our patients," said Mark Campbell, Vice President of Supply Chain. It's all done to ensure the hospital keeps this promise: "Tampa General is open to serve this community and will remain that way before and after the storm," Tony Venezia, Vice President of TGH Public Safety. That's important, according to Pasteur, because TGH takes care of so many critical care patients, they can't be evacuated to other hospitals in Florida. READ: Hillsborough County seeking input on spending $709M in hurricane recovery funds "There's not enough critical care beds in the region to take those patients, but also logistically, you can't transport them safely or even with enough time, so you just can't evacuate," he said. "Instead, we've put enormous amount of thought and resources into protecting this campus here in storms, in floods and any other kind of disasters that we can contemplate because there's nowhere else for these patients to go. We're the place to take care of the most specialized cases, and we have to put in the measures to make sure we can do that no matter what." Big picture view Since the AquaFence was installed in 2019, TGH has needed to use it every year to protect the campus during a storm. As a result of the yearly need, the hospital plans to install it ahead of time. It'll be in place by August and stay installed until around Thanksgiving. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AquaFence, whose barriers shielded TGH from hurricane floodwaters, to open Tampa office
Video above: TGH's AquaFence holds floodwaters back TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — AquaFence, the company whose flood protection technology shielded Tampa General Hospital from rising floodwaters during last year's hurricanes, is putting down roots in Tampa. The Norway-based company provides flood barriers to protect critical infrastructure, facilities, commercial properties and more. Surviving the storm: A look back at 2024's wild hurricane season The 3,500 office will be located in the Thousand & One office tower in Tampa's Water Street neighborhood. A news release stated that the Tampa move comes amid higher demand for AquaFence's technology in the region and across Florida. 'With a growing client base and strong relationship with local stakeholders like TGH and SPP, Tampa was a natural next step for AquaFence,' AquaFence CEO Michael Juuhl said in a statement. 'Thousand & One offers the ideal environment for our U.S. expansion— strategically located within the medical and research district, and well-placed to support new client relations.' TGH President and CEO John Couris said in a statement that AquaFence plays a critical role in protecting the hospital and keeping it running during storms. 'AquaFence's move into the Tampa Medical & Research District is a prime example of driving innovation in Tampa and recruiting companies that develop and produce groundbreaking solutions to real-world problems,' Couris said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
