Rapid Response to Rising Waters
As Florence’s floodwaters approached, three Myrtle Beach homeowners acted quickly. They turned to Geodesign Barriers, a Florida-based company specializing in residential flood barriers and temporary flood protection solutions. Within hours of a late-night call, trucks loaded with 11 tons of steel flood barriers began a 650-mile journey from Hobe Sound, Florida, to South Carolina.
By mid-Saturday, before the waters reached the properties, a two-person Geodesign crew had surrounded three homes with more than 1,000 feet of heavy-duty barriers. One property was encircled with a P40 Industrial flood barrier (40 inches high), another with 300 feet of C48 Heavy Duty flood barriers, (48 inches high) and a third with a mix of both. The systems were installed in less than two days, proving that deployable flood barriers can be set up quickly and effectively.
How the Barriers Worked
The barriers relied on an A-frame steel design that anchors itself under the immense pressure of rising water. Crews installed metal supports, secured them with chains, and draped a watertight poly liner across the system to seal out floodwaters. Unlike traditional sandbags, which are slow and labor-intensive, this sandbag alternative provided a faster, more reliable defense.
When the Waccamaw River surged back toward the Atlantic, the waters pressed directly against the barriers. For ten days, while neighboring houses filled with floodwater, the protected homes remained dry. Residents even adapted to the isolation by ferrying themselves over the barriers with a ladder and small boat until the flood receded.
Averted Disaster, Proven Resilience
Flooding from Florence caused catastrophic damage across the Carolinas, with billions in losses and widespread displacement. Yet, for these three Myrtle Beach homeowners, Geodesign’s flood protection barriers prevented more than $100,000 in damages per property. The success drew attention from neighbors, the National Guard, FEMA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
One homeowner, Ted Richardson, who had finished building his dream home just a year earlier, credited the barriers with saving his property. His story underscores the growing importance of flood protection for homes as extreme weather events become more frequent.
Geodesign’s Role in Flood Defense
Geodesign Barriers, a subsidiary of Sweden-based Geodesign AB, brings more than two decades of European flood defense expertise to the U.S. Its systems are FM Approved ANSI/FM 2510-certified, ensuring compliance with rigorous international standards. The company offers multiple product lines—including premium steel barriers and extendable diamond-plate barriers—designed to protect homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
By combining speed of deployment with proven durability, Geodesign provides communities with effective tools to reduce flood risk and increase resilience.
Looking Ahead
Hurricane Florence was a stark reminder of the destructive power of water. But the Myrtle Beach case shows that preparation can make all the difference. With temporary flood barriers that can be rapidly deployed, communities can better withstand the growing threats of hurricanes, storm surges, and river flooding. As climate change intensifies these risks, solutions like Geodesign’s offer a path toward safer, more resilient neighborhoods.
