A device called Tiger Dam is helping keep flood waters away from buildings and roads and can be used nearly anywhere flooding poses a threat. It’s also a locally made product.
Tiger dam is as nimble and strong as its namesake and can be implemented in a matter of hours, becoming a watertight dam keeping flood waters away.
Tiger dam is made locally, right here in Louisiana! Meteorologist Devon Lucie met Dave Elvir, vice president at U.S. Flood Control’s manufacturing facility in Kenner who says the dam — is highly adaptable.
“So it’s a poly nylon blend, very robust fabric that we use. But it’s flexible, so it can go on any surface from whether it’s sand, or concrete, or grass as you see here. And it adapts to the terrain it’s on. And the weight of the water actually seals it to the ground to prevent seepage.”
It is a device used all over the world.
It works with the 50-foot long system sealed together through a collar and sleeve. The systems are put together while deflated, then they get filled with water. The sleeve adds extra protection and seals everything together. The system is in use right here in New Orleans.
Collin Arnold is the director of New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. I asked him how the system is used in our area — and who else knows about it.
“We have city departments that have them. it’s an excellent source of protection particularly to put up around buildings. I know that some of the hotels here in the city have them as well, and Sewerage and Water Board has flood mitigation and flood control systems too,” said Arnold.
Arnold said the dams have been deployed in Grand Isle, across the Northshore for use in river flooding situations, and also along the Mandeville lakefront.
When and where the tiger dam is used is situational.
“Essentially for these systems and the city right now, it’s a decision that’s make by the department head or the director of the agency that has the actual equipment,” said Arnold.
Tiger Dam has been around for over 25 years and has save at least tens of billions of dollars and it’s “to be determined” if we’ll see it deployed here this season.
READ MORE:What is a tiger dam? More on the locally made product fighting flooding
