Green roof

Green roofs are extensions of the existing roof that’s covered with vegetation which involves high-quality waterproofing and a drainage and irrigation system. Having a green roof in a building or house helps provide insulation, manage and reduce rainwater runoff, and in the long run, help prevent flooding since it acts like a sponge. In the middle of a concrete jungle of grays and blacks, patches of lively greens from various plants in a green roof can lift anyone’s spirits up!

Permeable sidewalks and gardens

Permeable paving is a method of paving concrete that’s perfect for urban areas for a number of reasons. Grass pavers are popular in landscaping and building, these combine pavement and vegetation installed in interlocking grids or honeycomb shapes. The plants are sustained by the rainwater they absorb; they also serve as a natural filter for dirt that might get in the sewage system.

Dam Easy

Just in time for the Philippine rainy season, All Weather Industries and Scottsdale Corporation has finally brought Dam Easy Flood Barriers to our shores. First launched in Ireland back in 2017, Dam Easy is an “easy to install quality flood protection barrier.” Co-founder Brian Mooney shares how Dam Easy is “the first barrier with unique pneumatic seal requiring no tools or fixings or sealant to install.”  Homeowners can just position the device by the door, extend its side panels, and inflate to seal – a procedure anyone can make in under 3 minutes.

For a country that is at the risk of disasters including floods and typhoons, a simple device like this could make a difference. For more information on Dam Easy, log on to www.dameasyph.com or Follow DamEasy PH on Facebook.

Sponge cities

Floods that threatened the lives of its citizens were a wakeup call for China when to start building their leading sponge cities. These are cities which implement ecologically friendly alternatives to traditional flood defenses and drainage systems. The city consists of permeable pavements, rain gardens, green roofs, and artificial ponds and wetlands which absorb excessive rainfall through soil infiltration. If only cities in our own country could do the same!

Water-Gate Barrier

Water-Gate is a device used to act as a flood barrier. It’s self-inflating, portable, reusable, and can be used instead of sandbags or dirt dams. The device uses the weight of the water to hold the water back while at the same time also using the weight of the water to weigh the base down. The system could deal with emergency response situations or be installed around a house.

Flood warning systems

Countries like Bangladesh and India experience floods and flashfloods quite frequently. With these natural calamities threatening the lives of their residents, these countries have developed flood forecasting systems which send out forecasts through SMS flood warnings. India’s Flash Flood Guidance system predicts the possibility of floods up to 6 hours in advance. This alerts disaster relief forces and residents most likely to be affected.

Flood absorbing concrete

Topmix permeable concrete can absorb up to 4 liters of water per minute, as seen by the impressive video above. This concrete allows stormwater to permeate through its microstructure directing it off streets, parking surfaces, driveways, and walkways. Topmix helps the long-term maintenance for local authorities and developers or stormwater management.

Quick Dam Flood Barrier

This self-activating flood barrier is available in 5ft, 10ft, and 17ft lengths. Instead of your usual sandbag, Quick Dam contains superabsorbent power that swells when wet and once swelled, acts as a barrier that could absorb 4 to 23.5 gallons of water depending on its length. It’s a simple device that homeowners (mostly in North America) use to keep their properties dry.

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