Columbus Regional Hospital was inundated by an unprecedented flood in 2008 that forced evacuation of patients and resulted $180 million in damages.
As a critical lifeline entity, FEMA and Columbus Regional Hospital agreed that passive flood mitigation measures should be installed since relocation was not financially practicable. Fifteen passive flood barriers were integrated into a decorative flood wall to provide perimeter protection for the hospital.
A 2,400 foot floodwall was built two feet higher than the 100-year flood elevation and includes 15 passive FloodBreak floodgates at all entry points. This allows unimpeded access by vehicles and pedestrians unless a flood event happens yet provides permanent 24/7 flood protection,
The FloodBreak flood gates were integrated into the decorative flood wall that matched the hospital building’s brick exterior. The flood barrier system wiper walls were inset into the walls and with the flood gate hidden beneath the ground, the result is that the barriers are virtually invisible.
The FloodBreak passive floodgates provide permanent, flood protection 24/7 should another rain event trigger the massive flooding that devastated Indiana in 2008. Hospital patients & staff can rest easy that they will be protected in the event of a flood.
