In recent years, the weather has proven to be highly unpredictable, with the Northeast experiencing warm winters while the Pacific Northwest endures hotter summers than ever before. Such erratic weather patterns have made it challenging to anticipate daily conditions in any season.
The Southwest region of the country faced an unusual surge of flooding in 2016, resulting in the loss of possessions and even homes for many inhabitants. However, one Texan resident, Randy Wagner, took proactive measures to protect his home from the impending floods. Despite a mostly dry season, Randy, hailing from Rosharon, Texas, decided to construct a DIY Aquadam after receiving warnings of an imminent massive flood from the Brazos River Authority. Though his choice faced criticism from neighbors, Randy remained steadfast in his decision.
The Aquadam was not a conventional solution, but it proved effective for Randy. When a flood struck Brazoria County, thousands of homes were evacuated, and many were lost. Remarkably, Randy’s home remained unscathed due to the Aquadam’s installation, which encircled his house and acted as a barrier against the rising waters.
Although some skeptics had initially laughed at Randy’s preparation, they were now impressed by the Aquadam’s success. The device, comprising roughly 400 feet of 30-inch high tubing filled with water, provided protection against the nearly three feet of floodwater that could have otherwise invaded his home. The cost of $8,300 for the Aquadam was a small price to pay compared to the potential damages his house could have suffered.
While Aquadams may not be the traditional method of flood prevention, they have proven highly effective in saving homeowners and insurance companies thousands of dollars in damages. Quieter and lighter than many similar devices, Aquadams have been successfully utilized in various areas instead of other conventional flood prevention measures.
If you wish to explore more about Aquadams, you can watch the video below for further information!
