Presenter demonstrates low-cost flood‑proofing steps, invites residents to July seminar

Jeff Fuller, a local resident and presenter, told the Indian Rocks Beach City Commission on July 9 that simple, low‑cost measures helped him keep floodwater out of his home during last year’s storms.

“It’s the only reason I’m here — I got no flood water in my home last fall,” Fuller said, and demonstrated products he recommends, including a peelable sealant applied in thick beads and vinyl inserts that snap into sliding‑door tracks to block water. Fuller said the sealant peels off cleanly and that the vinyl strips can create a water barrier in minutes.

Fuller said many of the techniques can be completed by older homeowners and do not require the “$30,000” commercial retrofit packages he discouraged. He pointed residents to supplies at major hardware stores and said some local vendors have placed bulk orders to meet demand.

The presenter invited residents to a free flood‑protection seminar on July 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal center in Indian Shores and said the effort is a community service with no commercial interest. “This is completely Bob and I set out a couple months or six seven months ago to do this as a community service,” Fuller said.

Mayor Denise Hurg and commissioners praised the practical focus of the presentation and asked staff to help publicize the seminar and materials. Fuller said homeowners can also email questions via the group’s website (floodprepf.weebly.com) and that volunteers have been offering door‑by‑door advice to dozens of households.

The seminar is intended as a practical, hands‑on overview of home‑level flood protection; Fuller said more extensive commercial solutions exist but are not necessary for many homes. Residents seeking to attend were advised to watch the city’s event postings and the presenter’s site for details.