New tool to fight flooding installed at Lyric Market

HOUSTON — Standing on the edge of Houston’s theater district means the Lyric Market is at the mercy of nearby Buffalo Bayou.

It swamped the area during Hurricane Harvey with several feet of water and filled underground garages to their ceilings.

Building management wants to make sure the investment is as protected as possible when the next flood hits. That’s why new flood gates, named “flood planks” by their manufacturer, were installed and tested.

“It’s a stackable, aluminum plank,” said Terry Smith with PS Flood Barriers, the maker.

Photos on the company’s website illustrate how the “flood planks” work against rising water. A gasket seal at the bottom keeps water from infiltrating an area when they’re performing correctly.

In the Lyric Market’s case, they’re inside and outside numerous entrances and can be easily installed by the building’s staff whenever needed.

“There are jambs already mounted on some of the building,” Smith said.  “They have to put them up in other areas because they’re against the glass.”

The “flood planks” are about three feet high at Lyric Market. They can be larger depending on the depth of potential flood water.

A larger set of panels can cover the adjoining Lyric Center office tower’s underground garage entrance. PS Flood Barriers says most customers hope they never need to use them.

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