Carrie Rockefeller remembers evacuating more than 70 residents out of Riverview Manor Health Care Center during June's flood.

"It was very hectic," says Rockefeller.

But now there's a sense of calm as Rockefeller and other staff learn how to construct the center's new Portadam.

"We're actually really excited about this. We are very thankful to have this and to know how to put it up," says Rockefeller.

The temporary dam links together metal "A" frames to form a protective ring, more than 200 feet long, around the nursing home.

The frames are secured with bolts and then lined with a waterproof tarp.

All to keep the water out and keep Riverview dry.

"It will protect the residents. It will protect all of the critical infrastructure," says Bob Gatta of Portadam.

400 sandbags will line the Portadam to stablilize it.

If Riverview Manor used sandbags to prevent flooding instead of the Portadam, they would have to stack up 20 thousand of them.

"It can be put up very quickly. It should take them about 4 hours to set up," says Gatta.

Administrator Kathleen Pagano says the Portadam could also take pressure off local resources.

"This is something new. Something different. And maybe we can do it ourselves and be a little more self sufficient," says Pagano.

A little more independence so the next time it floods, the Riveview Manor have a way to wall the water out.

Riverview is one of only two nursing homes in the country that now has the Portadam for flood prevention.