Case Study: The Proactive Steps St. Petersburg Florida Kennel Club is Taking to Mitigate Flooding Using Mayim Interlocking Flood Barriers
BACKGROUND AND ISSUE:
St. Petersburg, Florida, has a long history of flooding, primarily due to its low elevation, coastal location, proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, and frequent tropical storms and hurricanes.
The city experiences both coastal and urban flooding, often exacerbated by heavy rainfall and flash floods.
Coastal flooding is exacerbated by storm surges during hurricanes, while urban flooding occurs when the city's drainage systems are overwhelmed by heavy rainfall.
These floods can occur several times a year, with particularly severe events during hurricane season.
Flooding in St. Petersburg has significant impacts on commercial properties, including water damage to buildings, infrastructure, electrical systems, and equipment. Commercial businesses and facilities like the St. Petersburg Kennel Club, known for its historic Derby Lane, are particularly vulnerable due to their slight elevation and the slope of their pavement, which can create pools of standing water during floods.
The senior leadership team at Derby Lane St. Petersburg Kennel Club recognized the inadequacy of their outdated sandbag system with the increase in storms and flooding events. The laborious and inefficient nature of sandbags prompted the need for a modern, effective, and easy-to-deploy flood mitigation system. Garrison Flood Control was approached for their expertise to provide a solution tailored to the specific needs of the Kennel Club.
FLOOD FREQUENCY AND MAJOR HISTORICAL FLOODING EVENTS
The frequency of these events has increased over the years due to climate change and rising sea levels. The impact on commercial buildings like the Kennel Club includes structural damage, loss of property, and disruption of operations, leading to significant economic losses.
Average Annual Rainfall: St. Petersburg receives approximately 51 inches of rain annually, with the majority occurring during the wet season from June to September.
Flood Frequency: The city has experienced significant flooding events, with severe floods occurring every few years. Flash floods and standing water are common during heavy rainstorms.
Hurricane Donna (1960): One of the most severe hurricanes to hit St. Petersburg, causing extensive flooding and damage to infrastructure.
Tropical Storm Debby (2012): Brought heavy rainfall leading to widespread flooding, with some areas receiving over 10 inches of rain.
Hurricane Irma (2017): Brought extensive flooding to St. Petersburg, causing significant property damage and power outages.
Tropical Storm Eta (2020): Led to widespread flooding in downtown St. Petersburg, with storm surges and heavy rainfall inundating streets and businesses.
Hurricane Idalia (2023): A powerful tropical storm that wreaked havoc across the state of Florida during late August 2023, resulting in extensive flooding and significant damage to homes and infrastructure in its path.
Photos: thegrabber.com
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The impact of flooding on commercial buildings, like the Kennel Club in St. Petersburg is significant. Floodwaters can damage infrastructure, disrupt business operations, and lead to substantial financial losses. Flooding can also pose safety risks, contaminate water supplies, and create long-term economic challenges for affected businesses and communities.
The slight slope on the pavement around the facility created pools of standing flood water, further compounding the flood risk. Historically, the facility has been prone to flooding, which jeopardizes the building and its operations.
The Florida Kennel Club, located at 10490 Gandy Boulevard, required robust flood protection for their property, specifically for the garage door entryways measuring 17 feet in length and a 93-foot extended flood barrier to safeguard the building's infrastructure.
SOLUTION:
Mayim (MB2) 30” High Interconnecting Flood Panel System
After reviewing images and assessing the specific needs of the Kennel Club, the Flood Technical Team at Garrison recommended the Mayim (MB2) 30” High Flood Panel System.
The system was chosen for its durability, ease of deployment, and effectiveness in providing comprehensive flood protection. The system includes Straight Panels, Inward and Outward Curve Panels, and End Gables which create a tight seal-off against walls.
Derby Lane St. Petersburg Florida Kennel Club Flood Protection Barriers in Effect
The Mayim flood barriers are known for their modularity, quick deployment, compact storage, and efficient sealing to the ground and to each other due to the flood panels' thick neoprene between sections. Additionally, the MB2 barriers, due to their unique L-shaped design, are able to handle flood waters up to 30", as the rising water ballasts the barriers creating a durable weighted flood protection system.
The Mayim™️ Flood Barrier System offers several advantages over traditional methods like sandbags:
DURABILITY
Made from high-quality materials, the Mayim panels are designed to withstand harsh conditions and significant flood pressures, providing robust protection for commercial properties.
EASE OF DEPLOYMENT
Unlike sandbags, which require significant manpower to fill, transport and set up, the Mayim system can be quickly assembled and disassembled, saving valuable time and labor costs.
COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION
The system is reusable and can be customized to fit various layouts for a complete flood protection solution at properties, infrastructure, electrical and equipment rooms, and parking locations.
IMPLEMENTATION AND BENEFITS:
Due to the urgency of the project, Garrison expedited the shipping of 86 Mayim (MB2) Flood Barriers, including straight panels, inward and outward curve panels, and end gables. These components were crucial in ensuring no water could penetrate the protected areas.
The installation process was swift and efficient and involved placing the panels along the 17-foot garage door entryways and the 93-foot extended barrier run – significantly reducing the labor and time compared to traditional methods like sandbags.
The barriers were strategically placed to cover all vulnerable entry points, ensuring comprehensive protection against potential flood threats. The inward and outward flood panels allowed for a customized fit around the building's perimeter, while the end gables provided a secure tight seal-off against walls.
The implementation of the Mayim (MB2) 30” High Flood Panel System has significantly improved the flood preparedness of the St. Petersburg Kennel Club:
ENHANCED PROTECTION
The facility now has a reliable, reusable and reconfigurable barrier against floodwaters, reducing the risk of water damage to the building infrastructure and garages.
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
The ease of deployment means the Kennel Club can quickly respond to flood warnings in the advance of a storm, minimizing damage and disruption to their operations.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS
Reduced labor costs and minimized flood-related damage and downtime, the Mayim flood barrier system offers long-term financial benefits for the Kennel Club.
CONCLUSION:
The proactive steps taken by the St. Petersburg Florida Kennel Club in partnership with Garrison Flood Control demonstrate a commitment to protecting their historic facility against the increasing threat of flooding. The successful implementation of the Mayim (MB2) 30” High Interconnecting Flood Panel Barrier not only safeguards the club’s infrastructure but also ensures the continuation of its rich legacy, operations and diverse entertainment offerings.
The St. Petersburg Kennel Club's transition from sandbags to the Mayim (MB2) 30” High Flood Panel System marks a significant step forward in their flood mitigation efforts. By adopting this advanced and efficient flood barrier system, the Kennel Club has significantly improved its ability to protect its property and infrastructure from future flood threats.
Watch The Case Study Video and Learn About Why
The Mayim™️ Flood Barrier System is a Leading Solution in Flood Protection:
ABOUT GARRISON FLOOD CONTROL
Garrison™ Flood Control is a New York-based manufacturer and distributor of a complete line of flood control products. Garrison products contain, divert, and re-route water away from valuable property, equipment, infrastructure, and facilities and help prevent flood damage due to rising water levels.
Garrison Systems is dedicated to providing innovative and effective flood protection solutions to businesses and communities. With a focus on quality and customer service, Garrison offers a range of products designed to meet the unique needs of each client. Their expertise in flood control systems ensures that clients receive the best possible solutions to protect their properties from flood damage.
For additional information about Garrison Flood Control Systems, please call 929-299-2099 or email sales@garrisonflood.com.