Hurricane Helene hit Florida's Big Bend region like a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds. So far, 22 victims were reported. And while there was widespread floodingincluding the heavily populated cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, Tampa General Hospital, located right along Tampa Bay, has managed to stay dry.

This is due to a 5 to 10 foot high barrier known as the AquaFence, which is going viral on some platforms because of how it appears to have protected the only level 1 trauma center in the region.

like #HurricaneHelen continues, AquaFence at TGH stands firm. The waterproof barrier is designed to withstand storm surges of up to 15 feet. She has worked through multiple rain events to prevent stormwater from affecting hospital operations. #WeAreTGH #StormWatch pic.twitter.com/papsd6oPg2

— Tampa General Hospital (@TGHCares) September 27, 2024

AquaFence was founded in 1999 and has offices in Norway and New Jersey. According to company websiteits systems “are protecting more than $30 billion in real estate in the United States alone,” including everything from hotels to gas stations to Shake Shack.

The product is designed to be installed quickly and (fairly) easily. In 2023, said AquaFence USA President Thomas Briedis local outletWTSP Tampa 10, that 100 feet of AquaFence can be installed in 30 minutes.

“They come folded together, like a laptop,” he said. “You take them out of the box, put them down and they fold open.”

Briedis also said the company is working on a line of residential AquaFences, which would cost about $20,000. The barriers are designed to protect in a Category 5 storm.

“We are very confident in the system. It was thoroughly tested,” Briedis told the media.