In September 2013, Boulder, Colorado, was hit by a historic flood that caused widespread devastation. The floodwaters, driven by days of relentless rain, came down on the Frasier Meadows senior living campus.
On the evening of September 12, 2013, as rain continued to pour, residents witnessed their underground garage fill with water and submerging their parked vehicles up to their roofs. The situation rapidly deteriorated, with mud and rainwater rising to nearly three feet across parts of the campus. Despite the danger, the community’s dedicated staff acted heroically, evacuating elderly residents, whose average age was 87, to higher ground. Their quick thinking and courage ensured that everyone survived, but the material losses were significant. Over 80 cars were destroyed, and the campus suffered extensive damage.
In response to the devastation of 2013, Frasier Meadows undertook a comprehensive flood mitigation project, with a key component being the installation of FloodBreak floodgates at pedestrian and vehicular openings in their perimeter protection. Designed to provide reliable flood protection without the need for human intervention, the floodgates automatically deploy when floodwaters rise, effectively sealing off vulnerable entry points and preventing water from entering critical areas of a facility.
Seven FloodBreak floodgates were strategically located around the Frasier Meadows campus, focusing on critical entry points and areas most susceptible to flooding.
The Frasier Meadows campus is now better equipped to handle extreme weather events, providing a safer environment for its residents and staff.
