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Two new products on the market could help reduce losses and property insurance claims in storm-prone parts of the Southeast and beyond, makers announced recently.

Flood Risk America, based in Lake Worth, Florida, said it has expanded its flood protection lineup with three new systems: Hinged flood gates, permanent flood doors, and fabric flood barriers.

The gates allow entry-point protection for properties without blocking daily access, the firm said in a news release.

The doors are designed to provide watertight protection when closed, but normal access in routine use.

The barriers are made of what the company calls Aqua Fabric, and can be moved into position by a single person, without heavy equipment.

And Ormond Beach-based Tarpers firm recently announced TarpBags, which can hold down roof tarps without nails or heavy sandbags.

Property owners have often relied on roofers or others to place temporary tarps over roofs that are damaged by hurricane winds. This can mean driving roof nails through the tarp and into shingles, which can introduce new leak points, potentially exacerbating water damage and claim severity on the property. Or, workers have had to carry heavy sandbags up ladders to secure the tarp covering, adding to the risk of fall and injury, Tarpers said in a statement.

The TarpBags product can be filled with water from a hose after the bag is attached to the edge of a tarp, the firm noted.

“TarpBags make roof tarping faster, safer, and easier to deploy in the field,” said Steve Lofvers, President of Tarpers. “By eliminating roof penetrations and removing the need to carry heavy sandbags, crews can respond more quickly and reduce the risk of additional damage, especially during large loss events.”

Photo: The TarpBags system. (Tarpers)

Topics Florida Flood