Randy Wagner, a resident of Brazoria County, Texas, felt powerless when record-breaking storms swept over the area. All he could do was watch as his community was destroyed by the relentlessly intense wind and rain. Randy suddenly had a thought, though. He would disprove his neighbors, even though it wouldn’t be cheap and it was (to put it mildly) unconventional.
Texas Man Gets The Last Laugh After His Neighbors Ridiculed Him For Building This…
A Tight-knit Community
With a population of just 1,401, Rosharon, Texas, popularly known as “Buttermilk Station,” is a very little town; the kind where everyone knows their neighbors and each other’s business. As a result, when Randy began to discuss his peculiar notion, word quickly spread.
A Tight-Knit Community
A Memorable Year
If Randy’s community had received the typical amount of rain in 2016, that would have been OK, but Mother Nature had other ideas. The average annual rainfall in the county, which is located on the Gulf Coast, is four inches. But that year’s weather would turn out to be much more unusual. Additionally, a drastic solution would be required.
A Memorable Year
Everyone Was Concerned
Huge sections of the local roadways were already severely degraded after the town experienced significant flooding in May of that year. The Brazos River Authority also forecasted additional storms and increased flood heights. According to reports, the Brazos River may potentially reach a height of 53 and a half feet. Randy and other locals were understandably anxious. Floods would unquestionably result.
Everyone Was Concerned
Nothing Will Stop Him
There was probably nothing this savvy man wouldn’t have done to protect his home and brood from harm — even if it may have sounded a touch “crazy” to outsiders — but Randy found the prospect of having to evacuate his loved ones away from the area before the next round of storms “heartbreaking.”
Nothing Will Stop Him
Looking For A Solution
Randy decided he had to take every precaution he could to protect his house, so he started researching his alternatives online. There must be a solution, and it would be much less expensive than the necessary repairs following potential water damage. After all, the main objective is to keep the water out. It can’t be that difficult.
Looking For A Solution
He Found A Solution
In fact, Randy did find a probable answer while doing his research. Online, he had discovered a strange device that he knew would draw attention throughout the neighborhood. However, to be completely honest, that was probably the least of the family man’s concerns.
He Found A Solution
Weighing The Pros And Cons
Randy was probably aware that investing in this device would be risky. He would have to balance the benefits and drawbacks. It was not only very pricey, but it also appeared to require a lot of work to install. Randy didn’t have much time to reflect, though, as the floods were already well on their way.
Weighing The Pros And Cons
Hoping It Will Work
In order to purchase the gadget, he believed would provide the remedy, Randy traveled to Louisiana. And he enlisted the aid of two friends to set it up when he got home. He wouldn’t be able to accomplish this on his own.
Hoping It Will Work
Everyone Laughed At Him
While this was happening, his neighbors most likely watched in bewildered amazement as the enormous device started to take shape. It appears that many of them had chosen to use sandbags, which are a more conventional way to ward off water. Randy would tell Houston TV station KHOU back in 2016, “I was the crazy guy. Everybody was kind of going by, laughing at me…”
Everyone Laughed At Him
Preparing For What’s Coming
Randy and his two workhorse companions persisted despite the stares of the townspeople who appeared to think he had finally lost it. He said to KHOU, referring to the water level, “To not know what that level was going to stop at, I needed to prepare for something that no one has seen.”
Preparing For What’s Coming
It Was Like A Snake
The contraption that Randy was resting all of his hopes on was starting to take shape after several hours of work. His house’s exterior appeared to be being circled by a big black snake. But in fact, it was only hundreds of feet of 30-inch-high plastic tubing that was being pumped with water. Was this going to actually work?
It Was Like A Snake
Praying It Would Work
There had been predictions of localized flooding in recent weeks that would reach heights last seen during the disaster of 1957. The AquaDam, which Randy used, is said to be able to keep back two feet of water. He hoped and prayed that both this vow and his home would stand the test of time.
Praying It Would Work
Putting The Dam To Test
The time had come to put Randy’s “crazy” AquaDam to the test as the rain started to fall. The family of the homeowner was undoubtedly gazing on in horror as the water levels rose steadily. The rampaging natural forces might have gotten through the AquaDam. Perhaps it would even burst!
Putting The Dam To Test
Rising Waters
Anxiety probably filled the air as the storm continued to pound against the windows. However, Randy was unaware that the waters had actually risen to a staggering 27 inches, exceeding the 24-inch AquaDam guaranteed limit.
Rising Waters
Military Vehicles Came
The surrounding neighborhoods and quarters of Rosharon as a whole weren’t doing so well. In several areas of the region, forced relocations were reported. The Brazoria river was waging war on the locals, therefore military vehicles had to be sent to help. the same locals who had earlier made fun of Randy’s scheme!
Military Vehicles Came
What Happened To Randy’s House?
The rain ultimately subsided after a tough period during which trees were damaged and people’s nerves were frazzled. But will the AquaDam come to Randy’s rescue and turn him into a brave genius? Or would his fears come true when the floodwaters swelled and encroached on his house? The head of the household would have to get ready for the worst-case scenario.
What Happened To Randy’s House?
Relieved
When Randy looked over his house, he was probably relieved to see that the AquaDam had been effective. He, his family, and his cherished home had been kept safe from danger by this incredible device that had kept the floodwaters at bay. Randy told sources, “I think God had a hand in it. He put me on the right website at the right time and gave me the warning that I needed to act.”
Relieved
His Neighbors
Randy and his family were spared by the storm, and it appears that their belongings were as well, but other families in the county experienced some unpleasant effects. While they were away, their neighbors struggled to repair all the harm that had been done. And it appeared like there was a lot…
His Neighbors
A Good Investment
The enormous flood caused thousands of homes to be abandoned. The resourceful Texan paid $8,300 for that AquaDam, but that sum was insignificant in comparison to the $150,000 he may have had to dish out if his home had flooded. Additionally, it spared him and his family the anguish and suffering of being uprooted. Additionally, it gave neighbors a useful lesson.
A Good Investment
No Longer “Crazy”
Randy used to be a local joke, but because of his clever thinking, he is now the internet and local talk of the town. In the end, Randy’s self-described “crazy guy” had been correct. He would later tell KHOU that, “Today they are really impressed with this AquaDam,” despite the jeers of other locals. But there’s another lesson in this tale.
No Longer ‘Crazy’
A Big Fan
Randy thinks highly of the AquaDam, even suggesting to KHOU that “emergency management could use it,” and says, “I remember when Addicks Reservoir was going over Highway 6,” realizing that his intuition was right in leading him to make “the right decisions to be made during that week.” As most of Randy’s neighbors utilized sandbags, a strategy with drawbacks according to many experts, it may have been used.
A Big Fan
The Problem With Sandbags
Sandbag use can be troublesome, according to Craig Fugate, a former employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who spoke to the Tampa Bay Times in 2017. He said, “This is a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of prep,” he continued by saying, “Just putting a few sandbags in front of your door — if you’re talking more than just a couple inches of water – it isn’t going to stop it.”
The Problem With Sandbags
A Priceless Advice
Fugate continued by advising locals on the best ways to use sandbags. “To do it most effectively, you’ve got to completely seal off all the ways that water can get into your foundation and through the ground floor.” He continued by saying: “What the average person needs is far beyond the number of bags that you’re going to get from most of these centers.”
A Priceless Advice
Terrible News For Wooden Houses
And while it appeared that those who lived in concrete homes had a higher chance of self-defense, Fugate had some bad news for those who lived in wooden houses. “With wood, [sandbags are] not going to help much,” he told the newspaper. “The minute that water gets over, around, or through those sandbags, then those sandbags aren’t going to fix much.”
Terrible News For Wooden Houses
Important Tip
Fugate said, “Stack stuff as high as you can.” He continued by saying, “Take your papers, pack your bags and be ready to evacuate. [And] If you need to evacuate, don’t waste your time putting out sandbags.”
Important Tip
A Good Alternative
However, a different storm specialist had a different approach he’d suggest instead that would better achieve the AquaDam’s goals. Yes, Texas-based Edward Obediah Sweat offered some assistance on Facebook after Hurricane Harvey in 2017 flipped Texas upside down. But nobody could have imagined how spectacular his trick would be.
A Good Alternative
Taking Care Of The Damage
Sweat posted a message to his Florida friends and family on Facebook in September 2017. “[Here are] some things that I learned about hurricane damage management. Plastic bags filled with [a third of] water make good substitutes for sandbags at doorways.” Along with this survival tip, the former resident of Jacksonville also provided a few other pointers in his post.
Taking Care Of The Damage
Elevate Whatever You Can
Sweat gave more advice, “Paint cans or five gallon buckets can support and elevate your furniture if you are going to get water in your house.” He continued by saying, “Wear clothes to bed. Nothing looks worse than seeing people on the news in waterlogged nightgowns and boxer shorts. Plus, it is helpful [when you’re] slogging through the water at night.”
Elevate Whatever You Can
An Important Warning
Sweat continued with a critical remark about the plugs and sockets used in homes. “If you get water up to your electrical outlets, or you evacuate, trip the main breaker,” he cautioned. “A volunteer was electrocuted and died here walking in knee-deep water due to [the] power being on at a house he was going to check on.”
An Important Warning
The Right Attire
Sweat ended his post by adding a few more critical bits of advice. “Wear hard-soled shoes and gloves if you wade in water,” the Texas resident wrote on Facebook. Then, he added, “Use duct tape to seal your garage door to the floor to prevent water intrusion.”
The Right Attire
Things You Must Have At All Times
Sweat gave a list of what you should have on you at all times “Everyone should have an I.D., a whistle, and a flashlight on them once the rain comes.” He finished by saying, “Have a queen- or king-sized white, flat sheet to signal for help from boats and helicopters. Map out a couple of escape paths, [and] leave [your house] before these become flooded.”
Things You Must Have At All Times