NoFloods: The New York Flood Barrier for LIRR West Side Yard

In fact, since the 17th century, a total of 84 tropical or subtropical cyclones have impacted the city which lies along the East Coast of the United States.

One of the most devastating examples was Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 which caused widespread flooding across NYC. 

The storm significantly impacted the Long Island Rail Road’s West Side Yard (LIRR), a critical transportation hub. 

Floodwaters entered the yard but fortunately, all trains had been removed before the storm arrived, preventing major losses. 

The Long Island Rail Road’s West Side Yard is a rail yard owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on the west side of Manhattan in New York City. Used to store commuter rail trains operated by the Long Island Rail Road, the 26.17-acre (10.59 ha) yard sits between West 30th Street, West 33rd Street, 10th Avenue and 12th Avenue. 

The images below show past flooding in LIRR West Side Yard:

Across the city, subways, tunnels, roads and neighbourhoods were submerged, leading to billions of dollars in damage and long-term disruptions.

Here’s an overview of the areas within NYC that face a particularly high risk of flooding:

• Subway and Train Systems – Underground stations and tunnels can flood rapidly, bringing the city’s transportation network to a standstill.
• Rail Yards – Key locations like the LIRR West Side Yard require strong flood protection to safeguard trains and essential equipment.
• Commercial and Business Districts – Flooding can devastate offices, stores and major infrastructure, affecting thousands of businesses and jobs.

To address these growing risks, New York City has made significant investments in flood protection. 

The city has implemented both permanent and temporary flood barriers, including seawalls, levees, storm surge barriers and upgraded the drainage systems. 

In addition, rapid-deployment solutions such as inflatable and modular flood barriers help protect vulnerable areas when severe weather strikes. 

These proactive measures are crucial in ensuring that businesses can continue operating, residents remain safe and the city is better prepared for future storms.

NoFloods Barriers Chosen for New York Flood Protection at LIRR West Side Yard

To help prevent similar flooding in NYC and in particular the LIRR West Side Yard, Flood Control Barriers, LLC, got awarded a contract to provide NoFloods barriers to the area.

According to Adam Wagner, the CEO at the time, the NoFloods flood protection barriers were to provide almost one-quarter of a mile of perimeter protection for the location.

Deployment specialists from Flood Control Barriers, LLC, personally trained the Long Island Railroad personnel to ensure the barriers could be quickly deployed at the first sign of a flooding threat. 

Why NoFloods is the Best NYC Flood Barrier for the LIRR Area

We at Environment Solutions ApS have in our 18 years of experience protected assets well worth over €200 Million, and in turn, replaced the use of 6 million sandbags – that’s a lot of sand and man hours :)

Our success is built on providing cost-effective, high-performance flood protection solutions that are designed, tested and manufactured to the highest standards.

This ensures flexible, robust and dependable flood defense for people, critical infrastructure and the environment.

The NoFloods barriers are not only effective but also bring several key benefits that make them the ideal New York flood barrier:

• Rapid Deployment: NoFloods barriers can be installed significantly faster than traditional flood barriers, ensuring quick response during emergencies.
• Cost-Effective: They offer a more affordable solution compared to permanent flood protection structures, making them accessible for a wide range of applications.
• Environmentally Sustainable: Designed to minimize impact on urban landscapes and natural waterways, NoFloods barriers are a sustainable choice for flood protection.
• Versatile Applications: Suitable for roads, railways, subways, commercial areas and residential properties, these barriers provide adaptable protection across diverse environments.

The NoFloods Twin Tube PRO configuration is engineered for maximum durability and efficiency. 

It features one layer of weave-patterned polypropylene for strength and one layer of polyethylene for watertightness. 

The barriers are filled using forged aluminum terminals and over one-quarter of a mile of barrier can be filled from a single access point. 

For longer spans, strong aluminum junctions are used to connect sections seamlessly.

This innovative design results in a resistant, lightweight and reusable barrier that can be easily removed, transported and stored once the flooding threat has passed. 

For shorter spans, the NoFloods Twin Tube BASIC model is available in lengths ranging from 16.5 to 82 feet. 

Both the BASIC and PRO models come in heights from 20 inches to 79 inches, with the newly introduced XL 250 PRO tubes offering an impressive 100 inches of installed height.

The combination of flexibility, lightweight materials and innovative technology allows NoFloods barriers to conform to the geography of most locations, making them the ideal solution for New York flood protection.

To further demonstrate the effectiveness of our NoFloods barriers, they have been rigorously tested and successfully deployed in the UK.

Network Rail conducted extensive tests before awarding us two major tenders to supply the flood barriers, recognizing their effectiveness, reliability and rapid deployment.

Below are photos from the Network Rail tests in the UK.

Ensuring a Safer Future with the Right New York Flood Barrier

Flooding remains one of the biggest threats to New York City’s infrastructure, businesses and communities. 

With rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms, investing in reliable flood protection is more important than ever. 

New York flood barriers play a crucial role in keeping the city safe, ensuring that transportation networks, commercial districts and residential areas remain protected from devastating flood damage.

The NoFloods Barrier has already proven to be an effective and innovative solution in New York, particularly at the LIRR West Side Yard. 

Its rapid deployment, cost-effectiveness and adaptability make it an ideal choice for locations that need strong, temporary flood protection without the delays and high costs of permanent infrastructure. 

By embracing modern flood solutions like NoFloods, New York can continue to build a more resilient future and protect its most valuable assets.

Now is the time for businesses, government agencies and property owners to take proactive steps in securing their assets, operations and communities from future flooding. 

Waiting until the next major storm strikes could lead to costly damage and disruptions that could have been prevented with the right flood protection measures.

Don’t wait for the next big storm – be prepared! 

Investing in reliable flood barriers in New York can make all the difference in protecting what matters to you. 

Contact us today to discover how the NoFloods Barriers can help protect your property.