Building Resilience in Indian Rocks Beach: Caladesi Deploys New AquaFence System

As hurricane preparedness continues to evolve across Florida’s Gulf Coast, the City of Indian Rocks Beach is taking a new step toward protecting one of its most critical municipal facilities.

This September, Caladesi Construction & Development worked alongside the City of Indian Rocks Beach and the AquaFence team to complete the initial deployment and training of a new reusable flood protection system surrounding the Indian Rocks Beach City Hall Complex.

The AquaFence system is designed to provide rapidly deployable protection against storm surge and flooding during severe weather events. Purchased by the City with support from a State Legislature grant, the system adds another layer of resiliency for City Hall and the essential operations housed within it.

For Caladesi, the project represents both a new type of installation and a continuation of the municipal work the company has performed throughout the Tampa Bay area for decades.

“The AquaFence project was a different type of project for Caladesi and a great opportunity to expand our repertoire. More importantly, it gave us a new way to support our community, helping Indian Rocks Beach prepare for future storms and protect an important City facility. We’re proud to be a part of that.”

Scott Hinrichs, President, Caladesi Construction & Development

From Training to Deployment

During the initial installation, members of the Caladesi team worked directly with AquaFence representatives to learn the system, understand its components and deployment process, and complete a full installation at the City Hall Complex.

Unlike a permanent flood wall, AquaFence is a modular system that can be deployed when severe weather threatens and removed afterward. That means preparation, familiarity with the system, and an experienced deployment team are essential parts of making the City’s investment effective when it is needed most.

Following the initial training and deployment, Caladesi will continue to support the City by storing the AquaFence system off-island and overseeing its annual deployment ahead of hurricane season and removal once the season ends.

That ongoing responsibility gives the project significance beyond a single installation. By deploying the AquaFence each year ahead of hurricane season, Caladesi will help ensure City Hall is prepared and protected throughout the months when severe weather poses the greatest threat. 

Preparing Today for the Storms of Tomorrow

For coastal communities like Indian Rocks Beach, resilience increasingly means finding practical ways to protect infrastructure before a storm arrives — not simply repairing it afterward.

Protecting City Hall helps safeguard more than a building. It supports the City’s ability to restore operations and provide essential services to residents following a hurricane or significant flooding event.

The AquaFence project also builds on a longstanding relationship between Caladesi and the City of Indian Rocks Beach. Over the years, Caladesi has partnered with the City on projects ranging from public facility improvements and beach access dune walkovers to hurricane-related repairs and renovations.

“The team of Caladesi Construction and Development… provide true professionalism and quality workmanship specific to their industry, which enables projects to be completed within a timely manner and within the project budget. It has been a true pleasure to work with a contracting firm of this c”

Dean A. Scharmen, Public Works Director, City of Indian Rocks Beach

For Caladesi, the AquaFence project is another example of what it means to build for the communities we call home. From traditional construction and infrastructure improvements to evolving solutions for storm preparedness and flood protection, our work continues to adapt alongside the needs of Tampa Bay.