Video: Tampa General Hospital’s AquaFence holds floodwaters back.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — The City of St. Petersburg is looking to bolster its protections against severe weather with the installation of an AquaFence at one of its “most critical facilities,” officials said.

City officials announced Wednesday that an AquaFence flood protection system was installed at Lift Station 85, located at the Old Albert Whitted Water Reclamation Facility.

The facility serves nearly a quarter of the city’s population, including hospitals, assisted living facilities, hurricane shelters and the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

Photos provided by the city Wednesday showed workers putting up the panels, which are meant to withstand several feet of storm surge.

Technology crafted by the same company has shielded Tampa General Hospital from rising flood waters during past hurricanes, including Helene and Milton.

St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch said the city is looking ahead to help combat any impacts residents might see from this hurricane season.

According to officials, the AquaFence should help protect essential equipment at the lift station and minimize service interruptions associated with storm surge flooding.

“The installation of an AquaFence at Lift Station 85 will safeguard one of the city’s most critical facilities during adverse weather events and strengthen our community’s overall resiliency against extreme weather and natural disasters,” Welch said in a statement Wednesday.

The project is part of the St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) Plan, which aims to strengthen the city’s infrastructure and ensure long-term resilience in the face of severe weather.

“This investment reflects our dedication to protecting critical infrastructure and supporting the well-being of our community,” said Claude Tankersley, Public Works Administrator. “Lift Station 85 plays a key role in serving a large part of the community, and the AquaFence will help us uphold that responsibility during adverse weather.”