Plastics are part of the fight against flooding in California as waves of storms hit the state.
Members of the National Guard have been rolling out flexible vinyl Tiger Dams for use in low-lying areas at risk as up to 4 inches of rain were expected on Jan. 5 — adding to rainfall that caused extensive flooding in San Francisco, Sacramento and other areas in the central and northern parts of the state earlier this week.
A Tiger Dam was installed near a prison in Sacramento County on Jan. 3 after inmates had to be evacuated due to flooding.
Tiger Dams are made by U.S. Flood Control Corp. of Carson City, Nev., which is part of International Flood Control of Calgary. They have become part of emergency response measures by local and state governments across the country.
The dams can be stored flat, then rolled out and filled with water (yes, the irony in using water to deflect water isn't lost on me) to serve as a protective barrier during flooding.