Adaptation 10 - November (Flood)

Valencia is the latest victim of horrific floods in Europe. The sudden inundation of the Spanish city and its surrounding environs claimed over 200 lives, and is on track to become the most expensive weather-related shock the country has ever seen.

The watery assault was truly unprecedented. In the worst hit areas, rain cascaded down at a rate of 422 liters per square meter (~162 in/ft2). Authorities said parts of the region experienced nearly a year’s worth of rain in just eight hours.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to all those affected by this tragedy.

What occurred in Valencia, as terrible and unparalleled as it seems, could become all too common as climate risks accelerate. Warm air holds more water, and hotter seas can produce more ominous storms – a recipe for downpours of devastating power. These disasters are made even more potent because of the increasing urbanization of human communities. Dense, built-up areas are less able to absorb frenzied rains, and channel flood waters in dangerous and destructive ways.

This year alone, parts of Germany, the UK, Italy, and France have been ravaged by floods. Developing countries have not been spared, either. Floods have swept through the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, and dozens more poorer nations, which are less able to bounce back from these disasters.

Nor is the US immune. That country’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tracked 28 billion-dollar climate disasters last year: of which four were flood related.

Few parts of the world are safe from flooding, and all kinds of communities are vulnerable to them. Rural areas suffer loss of arable land and population displacement. Urban regions suffer damaged infrastructure and impaired transport networks. Coastal, inland, usually dry or usually wet – it doesn’t matter. Floods can devastate them all.

The second-order effects of these disasters shouldn’t be ignored, either. Floods leave lasting scars: disrupted food systems, polluted drinking water, eroded soils, and public health crises from waterborne diseases.

It’s small wonder, then, that a large part of the emerging adaptation economy is bent on addressing flood risks. In this month’s Adaptation10, we shine a light on ten more trailblazing organizations working to tackle floods before, during, and after they occur. Looking for more? Then check out the 10 we explored back in July here.

Learn about five of this month’s set of companies projects below, and for the full list, upgrade to a Climate Proof premium subscription – which also unlocks previous editions of Adaptation10 and a wealth of climate adaptation news and insights. At the end you′ll read the featured solutions in action, this time, about a chemical factory, that is recovering after disaster.?

A resilient end of the year to you all

Louie & Daniel

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Aggeres, headquartered in Belgium, produces customized flood protections for commercial and residential properties. Among their innovative solutions are advanced weir systems and real-time monitoring tools that provide critical data on water levels, flow, and quality. These tools help households and entire communities make informed decisions on how to improve their flood resilience and water resource management. Public and private entities alike are able to benefit from their expertise to reduce flood risks and manage increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

7Analytics specializes in creating detailed and dynamic flood data models, such as the FloodCube Realtime, to predict and mitigate flood risks. Their solutions are used by insurers, banks, asset owners, and government bodies to manage these hazards and identify vulnerable assets. By combining machine learning, high-resolution weather forecasts, and sensor data, their tools are able to accurately predict flood risks, enabling early intervention. They were a nominee for the 1st Adapatation Tech Award hosted by The Shift conference this Nov in Berlin.

UK-based Hydro International – part of the building materials giant CRH –? helps businesses and public sector entities manage their water risks. Among the company’s solutions are flow control and flood protection tools that can address stormwater outbreaks and empower engineers and local authorities to design site-specific flood measures. The company also provides water and wastewater treatment services, including for stormwater runoff, which can transmit dangerous pollutants into vulnerable populations if left unaddressed.

AquaFence protects critical infrastructure with its advanced flood protection barriers. The company’s solutions are designed to enhance flood resilience and optimize water control systems, while also being quick to deploy and easy to dismantle when not in use. AquaFence’s barriers have proven their worth in Florida recently, effectively protecting structures during severe weather events, including Hurricane Helene. For instance, Tampa General Hospital utilized AquaFence to safeguard its facilities against the hurricane’s impact, successfully withstanding storm surges up to 15 feet.

Bufferblock, from the Netherlands, is working to make urban environments spongier and better able to withstand flood events. Their flagship product, the Bufferblock, is a modular, stackable concrete block that temporarily stores excess rainwater during heavy rainfall, reducing runoff and easing pressure on drainage systems. The blocks can hold 250 to 500 liters of water per square meter and are resilient to pressures, like urban traffic.

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(Learn more) is a leader in global flood risk assessments. The company develops and deploys advanced mapping and modeling technologies that address public and private clients’ climate risks. Their core offering is the Global Flood Map, which provides flood risk information down to a 30-meter resolution globally and can project future flood hazards from now to 2100 under multiple climate scenarios. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and integrating existing flood defenses, xxx′s models simulate water flow dynamics with high precision. xxx empowers informed decision-making by providing critical data on flood depth, extent, and risk, fostering effective adaptation strategies for communities and industries.

(Learn more) is committed to modernizing water monitoring and forecasting, with an eye on improving coastal resilience and protecting communities from river flooding. They deploy cutting-edge sensors and software that give public and private clients valuable insights to their water risks. Their real-time data collection systems provide accurate, high-resolution insights into water levels, water quality, and flood risks, supporting communities in adapting to rising sea levels and extreme weather.

(Learn more) offers a flexible approach to flood management with its lightweight, self-supporting barriers. These can be deployed quickly as needed to provide just-in-time defense. Designed for urban environments, these barriers are freestanding and use the weight of floodwater for stabilization, making them easy to assemble without heavy machinery or tools. Solutions like the xxx Boxwall are ideal for protecting streets, homes, and businesses during emergencies, minimizing damage while maintaining accessibility. By providing practical and scalable flood protection, xxx equips communities with the tools they need to respond proactively to increasingly frequent and severe flooding events.

(Learn more) is on a mission to protect human and natural systems from polluted stormwater runoff. The company sells an innovative permeable concrete technology, which is both incredibly strong and resistant to clogging. This allows for the construction of paved surfaces that can filter the pollutants out of stormwater and naturally replenish groundwater supplies. Moreover, the material is climate-friendly, using recycled materials instead of traditional cement. Its precast design streamlines installation, minimizing disruptions and costs.

(Learn more) is making strides in industrial safety and urban resilience with its sustainable water management services. The company offers a host of services, from stormwater management to green infrastructure for capturing runoff. It also provides critical maintenance and inspection services, helping other companies to identify infrastructure vulnerabilities and providing actionable solutions. These assessments not only enhance site-level safety but also inform broader zoning policies, helping to minimize high-risk activities in flood-prone areas.

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Adaptation10 in action – the Story

or "The Factory That Fought Back on Flood"

The Catastrophe

Greystone, a bustling industrial hub along the Serpentine River, was no stranger to heavy rains. But one fateful spring, a terrible storm exceeded all expectations. Over three relentless days, intense rains caused the river to swell and burst its banks, unleashing floodwaters across the town’s streets and industrial zone.

Among the hardest-hit areas was the Greystone Chemical Factory, a prominent producer of cleaning products.

The torrent surged into the facility, overwhelming its containment systems. Tanks of hazardous chemicals were bowled over, their contents flowing into the river. Fish floated lifeless downstream, and residents were warned to avoid tap water. The air was thick with a sharp, chemical tang, and the once-thriving town was paralyzed.

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For Greystone, the flood was more than a natural disaster, it was an environmental and economic catastrophe. Hundreds of families were forced to evacuate, businesses shut down, and the town’s morale plummeted.

The Reflection

Weeks later, once the waters receded, Greystone’s town hall hosted a fiery debate. The chemical factory, long a major employer, now faced public condemnation.

Environmentalists demanded its closure, while factory workers feared for their jobs. The factory’s owners, grappling with lawsuits and the cost of cleanup, knew they couldn’t rebuild without earning back the trust of the community.

Determined to turn tragedy into opportunity, the owners partnered with experts and residents to develop a bold vision for a safer, greener, and more flood-resilient future.

The Plan: Transforming Greystone with Cutting-Edge Solutions

Key to this vision were ten innovative companies, adept at flood risk management. Armed with their solutions, the factory and the town’s citizens reimagined not only the factory, but the entire industrial zone of Greystone.

1. Aggeres: Solid Barriers and Emergency Pop-Ups

Aggeres teams installed permanent flood barriers around the factory’s perimeter, which blended into the industrial landscape. These barriers not only protected the facility but also shielded nearby homes. Emergency pop-up barriers were placed in high risk areas, allowing workers to seal off vulnerable sections during sudden inundations.

2. AquaFence: Portable Protection for Sensitive Equipment

Critical sections of the factory, including chemical storage and processing areas, were equipped with AquaFence’s portable barriers. During a test run, employees successfully deployed the barriers in under an hour, demonstrating their value as a rapid response to flood risks.

3. Hydro International: Advanced Flood Warning Systems

Hydro International installed a flood warning system that tracked rainfall and river levels in real time. The system’s predictive alerts were synced with both factory control systems and residents’ smartphones, meaning they would be warned with enough time to activate defenses before another flood hit.

4. (Learn more): Real-Time Water Monitoring

xxx′s monitoring sensors were installed along the river, around the factory, and in underground storage tanks. The system revealed previously unknown vulnerabilities, like the aging drainage systems beneath the factory. This data guided targeted upgrades to the factory’s infrastructure, ensuring no blind spots in flood defenses.

5. (Learn more): Advanced Flood Mapping

xxx Global Flood Map, with its 30-meter resolution, pinpointed critical flood risks in Greystone’s industrial zone. Using computational fluid dynamics and forward-looking climate scenarios, xxx′s models guided infrastructure upgrades and informed the town’s new evacuation plan.

6. (Learn more): Permeable Concrete Solutions

The factory’s parking lots and loading docks were resurfaced with xxx′s permeable concrete, drastically reducing runoff. During heavy rains, water now seeps into the ground instead of pooling, alleviating pressure on the drainage systems and lowering the risk of overflow.

7. 7Analytics: Precision Flood Modeling

7Analytics created detailed flood models for the whole industrial zone. The insights gleaned from these highlighted areas where floodwaters were likely to concentrate, prompting the reinforcement of industrial storage areas and the elevation of sensitive equipment.

8. (Learn more): Risk Assessment and Zoning Upgrades

xxx conducted an in-depth risk assessment of the factory and its surrounding area. Their report highlighted which sections needed retrofitting and recommended relocating chemical storage tanks to higher ground. Their findings also informed new zoning laws that restricted certain developments close to the river that would have worsened the town’s vulnerability.

9. (Learn more): Self-Supporting Barriers for Homes and Businesses

To protect nearby residential neighborhoods, the factory donated xxx′s self-supporting flood barriers to local families. These lightweight barriers were easy to deploy and helped restore community trust by demonstrating the factory’s commitment to safety.

10. Bufferblock: Modular Stormwater Management

Bufferblock’s modular systems were installed in the factory’s parking lots and around the industrial zone. These blocks managed stormwater flow and reduced the burden on Greystone’s drainage network. Employees appreciated their dual purpose, as they also served as green spaces during dry weather.

The First Test

Just a year after the disaster, the town faced another major storm. This time, Greystone was ready. Hydro International’s warning system provided days of notice, allowing workers to deploy AquaFence barriers and activate Aggeres’ pop-up defenses. xxx′s real-time data and waterplan′s forecasts kept factory managers informed of the flow of water, while Bufferblock systems diverted excess runoff safely.

When the storm subsided, the factory was still standing, and the river remained clean. Families in nearby neighborhoods praised the xxx barriers for keeping their homes dry, and Greystone’s industrial zone became a model of resilience.

A Legacy of Innovation

Greystone’s climate risk foresight didn’t just restore its economy, it redefined its identity. The chemical factory, once the source of controversy, became a leader in sustainable and flood-resilient practices. News of its transformation spread, attracting visitors and investors eager to learn from Greystone’s experience.

The flood that once threatened to destroy Greystone had instead paved the way for a brighter, safer, and greener future. In the heart of the industrial zone, a mural now stands, depicting the storm and the town’s resilience, with a simple message beneath:

“We adapt, we thrive, we lead.”

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