Architecturally Blended Flood Protection

FloodBreak has installed campus wide floodgates that protect the MD Anderson campus from floods while retaining the architectural beauty.

FloodBreak pedestrian floodgate has matching granite sidewalls and is covered with paversFloodBreak Floodgates use the MD Anderson granite sidewalls to maintain the architectural beautyFloodBreak pedestrian gate blends in with granite building

MD Anderson Cancer Center suffered significant damage from Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 and undertook a major flood mitigation project to protect the world class cancer center from another flood.

MD Anderson  sought  a permanent flood control solution that would not require storage of flood panels nor involve flood doors with inflatable gaskets. They knew that active measures had failed during Allison and also wanted to maintain the beauty of their campus.

They selected FloodBreak Automatic Floodgates, a revolutionary flood control system that provided permanent flood protection without the need for human intervention or power. The flood barriers also remain hidden beneath the entryways allowing unimpeded access to the hospital by pedestrian and vehicle traffic unless a flood event occurs.  Architecturally, the floodgates blend with the granite clad floodwalls and the paver walkways of the MD Anderson Cancer Center campus.

Permanent flood protection that’s virtually invisible.

There are many options to cover the FloodBreak passive flood barrier and wiper walls. MD Anderson chose to use their granite cladding for the wiper walls and matched their paver walkways. Other locations have used tiles or carpet to hide the floodgate. Wiper walls have been skinned with stainless steel or painted to blend in architecturally.  See more examples of architectural treatments.