Florida Aquarium Installs Flood Barrier to Protect Against Hurricanes

The new Aquafence system will shield the aquarium from up to 15 feet of storm surge.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:51pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a towering, shadowy flood barrier system silhouetted against a dramatic, stormy sky, dwarfing the Florida Aquarium's buildings in the foreground and conveying the overwhelming scale of the natural forces it is designed to protect against.The Florida Aquarium's new Aquafence flood barrier system stands as a formidable guardian against the region's growing hurricane threats.Today in Tampa

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa has installed a flood mitigation barrier system called Aquafence to protect its facilities and animals from devastating hurricane storm surge. The Aquafence, which previously protected Tampa General Hospital during Hurricane Helene, can shield the 250,000-square-foot aquarium from up to 15 feet of pounding surf, eliminating the need for emergency evacuations of the aquarium's endangered species during future storms.

Why it matters

The Florida Aquarium's waterfront location makes it highly vulnerable to hurricane storm surge, which has forced the aquarium to evacuate its animals in the past. The new Aquafence system will allow the aquarium to safely shelter in place, protecting its diverse collection of corals, manatees, penguins, sharks, and other marine life during severe weather events.

The details

The Aquafence flood barrier was donated to the Florida Aquarium by the company that manufactures it. The system is designed to be quickly deployed and can protect structures from up to 15 feet of storm surge. The aquarium's president and CEO, Roger Germann, said the Aquafence will ensure the aquarium's staff does not need to evacuate and transport some of the world's most endangered animals to higher ground during future hurricanes.

  • The Aquafence system was installed at the Florida Aquarium in April 2026, ahead of the upcoming hurricane season.
  • The Aquafence previously protected Tampa General Hospital during Hurricane Helene.

The players

The Florida Aquarium

A 250,000-square-foot aquarium located on the waterfront in Tampa, Florida, housing a diverse collection of marine life including corals, manatees, penguins, sharks, and more.

Aquafence

A flood mitigation barrier system that can protect structures from up to 15 feet of storm surge. Aquafence previously protected Tampa General Hospital during Hurricane Helene.

Roger Germann

The president and CEO of The Florida Aquarium.

Tampa General Hospital

A hospital in Tampa, Florida that was protected by the Aquafence system during Hurricane Helene.

Strategic Property Partners

A company that donated toward the Florida Aquarium's emergency preparedness efforts.

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What they’re saying

“As we saw with the most recent hurricanes to impact our region, protecting the Aquarium, which is situated on the waterfront, from a catastrophic storm surge is paramount.”

— Roger Germann, President and CEO, The Florida Aquarium

What’s next

The Florida Aquarium will test the Aquafence system ahead of the 2026 hurricane season to ensure it is fully operational and ready to protect the facility and its animals.

The takeaway

The Florida Aquarium's investment in the Aquafence flood barrier system demonstrates the importance of proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable coastal institutions from the growing threat of severe weather events driven by climate change. This innovative solution will allow the aquarium to continue its vital conservation work without the need for disruptive and risky evacuations.