Pumps Deployed in Hurricane Isaac Relief Efforts

Godwin—a Xylem brand—has deployed pumps to support emergency relief efforts through the south after Hurricane Isaac.

In the same areas hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, parishes throughout New Orleans and Baton Rouge were experiencing flooding and power outages from Hurricane Isaac. Pump stations were being used at length because of the outages, and needed backup. Godwin—in conjunction with distributor Better Pumps & Solutions—deployed a total of 167 pumps.

Godwin deployed 6-in. pumps from branches in Houston and San Antonio, Texas, Jacksonville, Fla., Lakeland, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., Bridgeport, N.J., and Evanston, Wyo. Godwin Midwest District Manager Rob Lamm traveled to Louisiana to assist Better Pumps & Solutions and work with contractors.

John Bienvenu of Better Pumps & Solutions said, "There were five coastal parishes—among others—affected by Hurricane Isaac. Some have had recent levee improvements that helped prevent flooding. Others—in lower lying areas—experienced greater floods. Those not greatly affected by flooding still suffered large power outages."

Better Pumps & Solutions has locations in both New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and were at the forefront of hurricane relief in the area.

In Mississippi, flooding was not too dramatic during the storm, but the remnants of Hurricane Isaac still caused problems for local communities. Godwin Eastern District Manager Will Buddin started receiving calls on Saturday before Labor Day that the Percy Quin dam and levee were in jeopardy. Officials wanted to build an emergency spillway. The dam level needed to drop to reduce the threat of cracking, and also in order to begin work on the emergency spillway.

"The dam is fed by Lake Tangipahoa, which we estimated to be a 700 to 900-acre lake," Buddin said. "That's a lot of water that would go downstream toward Louisiana." Buddin boarded a plane early Labor Day morning to assist distributor Hydra Service with coordination efforts, calculations, and recommendations for the contractors on-site.

Five 12-in. DPC300 Godwin Dri-Prime pumps and four 8-in. CD225M Dri-Prime pumps were deployed from Hydra Service.

The level dropped successfully in two days, and now work has begun to install the emergency spillway. This will prevent such emergencies in the future. The spillway will regulate excess flow in an emergency or torrential downpour and take pressure off the dam.

Source: Xylem