May 20, 2025
In Bogota, Tennessee, a local family came up with an ingenious way to protect their home from severe flooding — they built a DIY flood barrier over several decades.
Justin and Tucker Humphrey weren’t engineers, but their late father had taught them how to build a levee.
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As nearly a foot of rain fell over Bogota in just three days, they would put that knowledge to the test.
With floodwaters threatening to swallow their childhood home, the Humphreys worked day and night to build an earthen barrier around their property, 3 acres of dirt moved with farm equipment.
This barrier has proven successful in safeguarding their property during recent storms.
In early April, Tennessee experienced a series of intense storms, with some areas receiving up to 15 inches of rain. The resulting floodwaters overwhelmed many regions, but the Bogota family's home remained dry, thanks to their proactive measures.
A community effort
The levee, 6 feet tall at the front, rising to 9 and a half at the back to account for elevation, was completed just before the storm.
The brothers maintained it by sandbagging plastic sheeting to protect the soil and patching weak spots and as floodwaters rose, neighbors delivered sandbags, tarps and gas for generators.
"In no shape, form or fashion was it a two-man show," Justin Humphrey told FOX News.
"It was, by far, an entire community effort.”
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Just 20 minutes north, Tiptonville closed its floodgates and hoped for the best.
“This much rain in such a short period of time, we’ve never experienced that,” Mayor Cliff Berry Jr. told the Washington Post, “especially over such a wide area.”
Tennessee is smack in the middle of a soggy stretch of the South where storms are only getting wetter and wilder. Fueled by warmer waters in the Gulf and Caribbean, they are dumping record-breaking rain and testing the state’s flood defences. In northeastern Tennessee, the Obion River breached a levee during the deluge.
With such storms becoming the new normal, what should residents in these areas do to protect themselves and their homes?
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Budget-friendly ways to help flood-proof your home
For homeowners looking to protect their properties, here are some key tips.
Firstly, check to see if you live in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to be eligible to purchase flood insurance. In Tennessee there are 400 participating communities.
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You can set up products like water-filled flood tubes or inflatable barriers that can be used around your property to help prevent water from getting in during heavy rains or floods. These barriers are relatively affordable and easy to set up.
Seal windows and doors by installing weather stripping around them, and use caulk to seal cracks where air or moisture can enter.
Remember to raise electrical appliances and utilities above potential flood levels to help prevent water damage.
The City of Memphis also recommends that residents:
- Keep curbs clear. Don’t leave trash bags, yard waste or garbage bins at the curb or near storm drains because they can potentially clog gutters and block water flow.
- Do a drain check. Take a few minutes to clear leaves and debris from gutters and storm drains near your home.
- Turn around. Never drive through standing water or near downed power lines or trees.
- See something? Say something. Spot a blocked drain, flooded street or fallen tree? Call 311 (Memphis also has 311 app) to report it and help keep your neighborhood safe.
- Practice power safety. Only operate a generator outdoors, in well-ventilated spaces and at least 30 feet from your home or garage to avoid potentially deadly carbon monoxide buildup.
In flood-prone areas, it’s critical to use flood-resistant materials like concrete, stone and pressure-treated wood for construction. The NFIP provides guidance on flood-resistant materials.
Consider consulting with a local floodplain administrator or a certified floodplain surveyor who can provide tailored recommendations to your specific location and circumstances.
The storms are coming, being prepared can help you safeguard your property.
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Freelance writer with an economic development and consulting background.
