The Floodbag - How it all began...

In May 2004 Robert Hill left Gran Cayman for a number of months. He packed his possessions into heavy duty plastic bags and rigid plastic storage containers, and stored them in cupboards in the windowless central room of his apartment. This is the recommended procedure for locals prior to a hurricane hitting the island.

On the 12^th September 2004, three weeks before Robert was due to return, Hurricane Ivan struck Gran Cayman with a 13-19 foot storm surge, around 12 inches of rain, sustained winds of roughly 150 mph and gusts exceeding 180 mph. 95% of the Island’s roofs were damaged or removed and about 70% of houses were flooded.

The house where all Robert’s possessions were, lost its roof and was submerged in 6½ feet of water. All the plastic bags were torn and their contents floated in sewage-contaminated water. The marine ply shielding on one window was torn off by the high winds, breaking the grill and allowing debris into the house. The winds and flooding had scattered the bags’ contents inside and out, and the plastic containers had floated or blown away. Robert lost clothing, expensive dive gear, books, bedding and electrical equipment. All the soft furniture had to be thrown away because of the sewage in the flood water.

It was four months after the storm before all the furnishings could be replaced. Most of the island’s 40,000 population were in exactly the same situation as Robert, and the port could not handle the large volume of freight quickly enough. This scene was repeated in Granada, Jamaica, Cuba and Florida.

Robert returned after the storm and helped rebuild a home to live in, but realised that this destruction, excessive increases in insurance premiums and the approaching 2005 hurricane season highlighted the need for an affordable, easy to use system to protect home and business contents.

Robert looked for something already available but found nothing. He even tried antique car storage systems but they proved unsuitable. Frustration with this situation led to the concept of the Floodbag.