Pool News
Hurricane Ida Slams Louisiana, Pool Industry Waits to Assess Damage
Pool Industry Report – Hurricane Ida has utterly ravaged parts of Louisiana and may be responsible for millions in damage.
![Cleaning Pools after a Wildfire](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hurricane-damage-pool-scaled-e1632569996443.jpeg)
The entire Gulf Coast region is reeling after Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana, knocking out power to virtually the entire state. The category 4 hurricane obliterated roofs and actually reversed the flow of the Mississippi river as it pounded the region, causing a swath of devastation to whatever was in its path.
So far the Hurricane has been responsible for at least one reported death and has disrupted most services to a good portion of Louisiana. The pool industry still vividly recalls the effects of Hurricane Katrina which caused $81 billion dollars in property damage back in 2005 and impacted about 90,000 square miles of the Gulf Coast region. That particular storm was a Category 5 Hurricane and was responsible for over 1,800 deaths.
![Hurricane Ida may be responsible for potentially millions of dollars in damage to ongoing pool construction projects.](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/August-29-hurricane-ida-satellite-sunday-morning.jpeg)
Pool builders got wind Hurricane Ida was coming, but scarcely had time to prepare job sites. At this point, given the level of damage the storm caused to the local area, many pool companies are looking at potentially millions of dollars in damage to vessels currently under construction.
Weather conditons such as hurricanes and tornadoes are capable of flattening a home within seconds. In many instances, the sheer force of the storm can destroy swimming pools. One storm in Australia a few years ago completely ripped a pool from the property and shows the power that severe coastal storms have and the damage they can inflict.
![](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hurricane-swimming-pool-collapse-1024x768.jpeg)
We all have seen first hand what ravaging hurricane winds can do to vessels. When confronted with storms of this magnitude, there is no guarantee that even the best built structures can withstand winds that exceed over 150 mph.
Jefferson Parish Emergency Management Director Joe Valiente gave his assessment of the current situation and said that local area residents may be without power for 6 weeks or more. “There are about 10 parishes that the electrical grids are completely collapsed and damaged, smashed, out — however you want to put it,” said Valiente.
The storm caused a main electricity tower to collapse into the Mississippi River, severing a critical link between power stations and five parishes. Although much of the region is currently flooded, Valiente said the one piece of good news was that the region’s levee system held up well, with only minor issues.
One of the most powerful storms to hit the area in recent years has left many communities isolated. Virtually no one in the state has electricity and many water systems are also out, Governor John Bel Edwards told media. Many local parishes throughout the New Orleans area are still flooded. President Biden declared a state of major disaster in Louisiana, coordinating 3,600 FEMA personnel to begin distributing aid immediately.
It’s difficult to gauge the exact impact on the pool industry at this point. Attempts to reach out to many local area pool builders met with failure. Many of the phone lines are down and millions currently remain without electricity. Emergency 911 services are also still down for many portions of the region.
A winter storm hit the pool industry hard last year and caused a deep freeze the contributed to supply shortages hindering builders and service techs this season.
A 100 year storm of this nature is one that few are ever prepared for. Louisiana has already been desperately trying to cope with overwhelmed hospitals that are dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Local area residents are struggling with what little resources remain and can use whatever help they can get.
How Can The Pool Industry Help?
Mule Men, a charitable foundation that distributes humanitarian aid and is organized by such pool industry figures such as Shane Le Blanc, Jimmy Smith and others is already organizing relief efforts to distribute goods. Making a donation there is a great way to make an impact if you want to make a difference.
Pool News
French Diver Makes Splash After Flop At Opening of Olympic Pool
![French Diver Makes Splash After Flop At Opening of Olympic Pool](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/french-diver-flops-at-olympics-pool.jpg)
French Olympic diver, Alexis Jandard, created a memorable moment at the grand opening of Paris’s new Olympic pool, though not quite in the manner he had envisioned.
A startling video captured during the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Paris Aquatics Center on Thursday showcased the 26-year-old Olympian’s unfortunate landing on his right foot while gearing up to dive alongside two fellow athletes. Adorned in a Speedo reflecting the hues of the French flag, Jandard’s discomforting descent saw him landing on his back, ricocheting off the nearly 10-foot-high dive board, and somersaulting into the pool in a rather ungraceful manner.
The incident unfolded in front of a sizable crowd of onlookers, including French President Emmanuel Macron and various dignitaries. Jandard later displayed his scraped back on his Instagram account, maintaining a light-hearted approach to his embarrassing mishap by quipping, “For your information, my back is fine, but my ego…”
Sharing a photo of his reddened back, courtesy of the encounter with the diving board, on Instagram Stories, Jandard assured followers of his well-being. Speaking to RMC Sport, he recounted the unexpected turn of events, stating, “I’m fine. I didn’t hurt myself; unfortunately, these things happen. It happened at a time when I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
![Alexis Jandard injured his back at the inauguration of the new Olympic Pool in Paris. Photo Credit: @alexis_jandard - Instagram](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/alexis-jandard-back-1024x576.jpg)
Reflecting on the incident, Jandard humorously noted, “I’ve broken boards before, but the board had never broken me before. Now it has.” Despite the hiccup, he maintained an optimistic outlook, remarking, “I would have preferred this ceremony to have gone well from A to Z. There was that little hitch. If it made people smile a little, so much the better.”
Explaining the mishap, Jandard clarified that his leg gave way upon landing but denied any slippage, emphasizing, “It’s a non-slip [board], and what’s more, the board was new, beautiful, and I think there’s still [some of] my back on the board there.”
With a silver and bronze under his belt at the 2022 and 2023 World Aquatics Championships, respectively, Jandard took the incident in stride, admitting, “It’s a shame, but it’s funny. When you take a step back, it’s funny.”
Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Games this summer, where he is set to compete, Jandard acknowledged the inevitability of such occurrences in his sport, jesting, “These things happen,” while playfully lamenting, “It had to happen in front of the president and the whole of France. I think we chose the right moment.”
Despite being inundated with supportive messages and playful jabs, Jandard maintained a good-natured stance, urging his followers on Instagram, “Enjoy yourselves, make fun of me. I seriously deserve it!”
Pool News
Earthquake in Taiwan Causes Waterfall From Rooftop Pool
A massive earthquake in Taiwan transforms a rooftop pool into a waterfall. View viral footage.
![Earthquake in Taiwan Causes Waterfall From Rooftop Pool](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/taiwan-earthquake-pool.jpg)
In a harrowing turn of events, Taiwan was struck by a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake, leaving devastation in its wake. The quake, the strongest to hit the island in 25 years, shook the east coast of Taiwan, particularly affecting the city of Hualien and its surrounding areas. With a depth of 34.8 kilometers, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 18 kilometers south of Hualien, according to the US Geological Survey.
As rescue efforts are underway to free those trapped under rubble and debris, the toll of the disaster continues to rise. At least nine individuals have lost their lives, while over 900 others have sustained injuries. The aftermath of the earthquake has left over 100 buildings damaged, with reports of landslides and collapsed structures adding to the chaos.
The force of the quake was so immense that it caused a surreal sight—a rooftop swimming pool overflowing and cascading down the side of a building, creating an impromptu waterfall. Footage captured during the earthquake also shows the sheer force as a man inside a pool struggles to maintain balance, the water swaying violently from side to side.
The region of Hualien County, with a population of approximately 300,000, faces immense challenges in assessing the full extent of the damage. Many inhabitants reside in remote coastal or mountain communities, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach them promptly. The precarious situation is exacerbated by the expectation of aftershocks, with 29 aftershocks greater than a magnitude of 4.0 already recorded near the epicenter.
Compounding the crisis are reports of miners trapped in two mines in Hualien, adding urgency to the rescue operations. Furthermore, over 91,000 households are grappling with power cuts, amplifying the difficulties faced by residents in the aftermath of the disaster.
Despite the widespread destruction, medical facilities in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei City, are functioning, albeit damaged. The Municipal Government has confirmed that hospitals are operating normally, providing critical care to the injured.
The international community has responded swiftly to the catastrophe, with the Biden administration monitoring the situation closely and expressing readiness to offer assistance. In the face of adversity, Taiwan is rallying its resources and resilience, demonstrating solidarity and resolve in confronting this natural disaster.
As the dust settles and the extent of the damage becomes clearer, questions arise about the effectiveness of early warning detection systems in mitigating the impact of natural disasters. Despite Taiwan’s investment in advanced seismic technology, including early warning systems designed to provide crucial seconds of alert before an earthquake strikes, many residents were caught off guard by the sudden and violent tremors. Reports indicate that the early warning detection system, while operational, did not reach a significant portion of the population in time to take preventive action
Pool News
Patent Pending Apple Watch SOS Feature Could Prevent Drownings
![Patent Pending Apple Watch SOS Feature Could Prevent Drownings](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/apple-watch-sos-drowning-prevention.jpg)
A forthcoming feature potentially destined for the Apple Watch, as detailed in a recent patent application, could serve as a lifesaver for swimmers at risk of drowning.
Outlined in the patent is a capability for the Watch to identify “irregular behavior” and automatically trigger a distress call for assistance.
Apple underscores the alarming statistics surrounding drowning, particularly its prevalence among children, as a leading cause of accidental fatalities.
In the United States alone, drowning claims the lives of over 3,500 individuals annually, ranking as the fifth most common form of accidental death. Tragically, a significant portion of these victims are children.
Emphasizing the critical importance of swift intervention during water emergencies, Apple highlights the dire consequences of prolonged submersion without resuscitation, which can result in brain damage and ultimately, drowning.
A Growing Need For Cost-Effective Wearable Solutions
While acknowledging existing underwater camera systems in some swimming pools aimed at detecting distressed swimmers and alerting lifeguards, Apple notes their costliness and unreliability.
Consequently, there’s a pressing need for a simpler, more cost-effective drowning prevention solution suitable for all types of water bodies, including public and private pools, as well as natural settings like lakes and ponds where installing underwater cameras is impractical.
The patent proposes leveraging wearable devices such as the Apple Watch for broader applicability, increased reliability, and the ability to detect various types of emergencies.
Alerting When Swimmers Are In Distress
For instance, if the Watch detects a wearer who is not proficient in swimming entering deeper water, it can promptly dispatch an alert instead of waiting for signs of distress.
These alerts can be transmitted to nearby devices, including those of friends and family, and seamlessly integrate with existing drowning detection and alarm systems to ensure lifeguards are promptly notified.
Apple Watches already boast capabilities to detect and respond to falls, vehicle accidents, and cardiac irregularities. Heartwarming testimonials featured in Apple’s “Dear Apple” video series show individuals whose lives were saved by these functionalities.
As with many patents from Apple, it’s important to note that not all concepts may materialize into actual products. Nonetheless, this innovation stands as a promising addition for potential integration into future watchOS updates.
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