Over recent years, weather patterns have become increasingly unpredictable. Unusually warm winters in the Northeast and record-breaking hot summers in the Pacific Northwest have demonstrated this erratic trend. In 2016, the Southwest region of the country was hit by an atypical degree of flooding, resulting in substantial loss of property for many residents.
However, one forward-thinking resident, Randy Wagner from Texas, managed to safeguard his home from the floodwaters. Prior to the floods, Wagner had invested significant time and resources in an unconventional solution – an Aquadam. This device, which he installed around his home’s perimeter, provided an effective shield against the encroaching floodwaters, proving that sometimes unorthodox strategies can yield successful results.
Randy Wagner, hailing from Rosharon, Texas, chose to build a DIY Aquadam in anticipation of possible floods, despite the region experiencing a mostly dry season. Upon receiving a warning from the Brazos River Authority about an imminent massive flood, he traveled to Louisiana to procure his Aquadam. Despite facing skepticism from his neighbors about his unconventional approach, Wagner’s foresight came to fruition in May 2015.
Texas man uses inflatable dam to save house from flood waters
by u/7heJoker in interestingasfuck
During that period, a devastating flood struck Brazoria County, leading to the evacuation of thousands of homes, with many sadly destroyed. Remarkably, Wagner’s home stood unscathed amid the destruction. Reflecting on his decision, Wagner stated, “To not know what that level was going to stop at, I needed to prepare for something that no one has seen.” His actions underline the importance of preparation and innovation in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.
“I was the crazy guy. Everybody was kind of going by, laughing at me. But today they are really impressed with this Aquadam,” Wagner reflected. The installation of the device required three men, including Wagner himself, and consisted of approximately 400 feet of tubing that stood 30 inches high. The dam, made of plastic and fabric, was filled with water.
Without this innovative solution, Wagner and his family would have likely encountered nearly 3 feet of water inside their home. However, thanks to their foresight and the effectiveness of the Aquadam, they were able to observe the floodwaters amassing outside while staying safe and dry inside their home during the flooding.
Randy regarded the $8,300 investment on the Aquadam as a relatively small expense, considering the potential damages a flood could inflict on his house. “To me, a small investment on a house that could have two feet of water in it,” he said.
Although Aquadams might not be the most conventional flood damage prevention method, they have proven to save homeowners and insurance companies alike thousands of dollars in potential damages. Not only are these devices lighter and quieter than many similar contraptions, but they have also been used in several areas with fairly consistent success as an alternative to other preventive measures.
For anyone interested in learning more about Aquadams, a detailed video is provided below.
