Method and apparatus for countering flooding in coastal areas

Abstract

A method and apparatus for protecting a coastline from a predicted storm surge. The method includes the steps of: providing at least one inflatable barrier segment for protection against flooding during a hurricane surge; storing the at least one inflatable barrier segment at a first location; transporting the at least one inflatable barrier segment from the first location to a second location corresponding to a coastal location under threat of a future hurricane surge; deploying the at least one inflatable barrier segment at the second location to provide a barrier; removing each at least one inflatable barrier segment from the second location once the threat of the hurricane surge has receded; and depositing the at least one inflatable barrier segment at a third location, wherein the first location is selected from the group consisting of: an ocean floor, an offshore storage platform, and a buoy.

1 . A method of protecting an area of coastline from the prospect of flooding from a predicted hurricane surge, comprising the steps of:
 providing at least one inflatable barrier segment for protection against flooding during a hurricane surge;   storing said at least one inflatable barrier segment at a first location;   transporting said at least one inflatable barrier segment from the first location to a second location, wherein said second location is a coastal location under threat of a future hurricane surge;   deploying said at least one inflatable barrier segment at the second location to provide a barrier;   removing each at least one inflatable barrier segment from the second location once the threat of the hurricane surge has receded; and   depositing said at least one inflatable barrier segment at a third location,   wherein the first location is selected from the group consisting of: an ocean floor, an offshore storage platform, and a buoy.   
   
   
       2 . A method of protecting an area of coastline from the prospect of flooding from a predicted hurricane surge, comprising the steps of:
 providing at least one inflatable barrier segment for protection against flooding during a hurricane surge;   storing said at least one inflatable barrier segment at a first location, wherein the first location is on an ocean floor or on an offshore storage platform;   transporting said at least one inflatable barrier segment from the first location to a second location corresponding to a coastal location under threat of a future hurricane surge;   deploying said at least one inflatable barrier segment at the second location to provide a barrier;   removing each at least one inflatable barrier segment from the second location once the threat of the hurricane surge has receded; and   depositing said at least one inflatable barrier segment at a third location.   
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first location is on the ocean floor. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first location is an offshore storage platform. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the third location is the same as the first location. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the third location is different from the first location. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the third location is a seabed, and wherein the third location is different from the first location. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the step of transporting said at least one inflatable barrier segment from the first location to a second location further is performed using a sea vessel. 
   
   
       9 . A barrier system ( 41 ) to prevent flooding due to storm surge from a hurricane, comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable barrier segments, each of the inflatable barrier segments comprise at least one compartment fillable with air or water, each of the inflatable barrier segments are fitted with at least one valve for receiving air or water; and   a superior surface spanning the inflatable barrier segments to reduce leakage between the segments.