Rebuilding After the Storm

How Deck Foot Anchors Played a Role in South Terrebonne High School's Recovery

When Hurricane Ida devastated Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, in 2021, it left homes, businesses, and schools severely damaged. For the students of South Terrebonne High School, the storm disrupted not only their education but also their sense of normalcy. With their main campus rendered unusable, the district faced the daunting task of rebuilding — quickly and effectively.

Temporary modular campuses were the solution, providing state-of-the-art classrooms, science labs, kitchens, and more. These campuses, built by Vesta Modular and partners, needed to be fully functional, safe, and sustainable while being completed within an aggressive 150-day timeline. The project spanned 132,096 square feet and included thoughtful design features like covered walkways to protect staff and students from the elements.

How Deck Foot Anchors Supported Recovery Efforts

This is where Deck Foot Anchors played a pivotal role. The modular walkways connecting buildings needed a foundation that was:

Strong and Reliable: Able to handle foot traffic and weather conditions safely.
Quick to Install: Necessary to meet the tight construction timeline.
Non-Disruptive: Essential for minimizing site impact and adhering to sustainability goals.

Courtesy of: 4WWL News

A Collaborative Effort for Resilience

The Deck Foot Anchor checked all the boxes. With its no-dig installation and impressive load capacity, it provided a secure and stable foundation for the walkways, even in Louisiana's challenging soil conditions. Its flat load plate design made it ideal for the boardwalks, ensuring stability on asphalt and other surfaces while minimizing site disruption.

The temporary campuses were more than just a place for learning; they were a beacon of hope and progress for a community still reeling from the storm. In addition to classrooms, the modular campuses included features such as:

picture of the temporary boardwalk supported by the deck foot anchor

Courtesy of: 4WWL News

Science labs equipped with gas systems and vent hoods
Kitchens for Home Economics programs
A library and cafeteria
Separate band/music buildings
Restrooms and changing rooms for physical education

Each building was connected by covered walkways designed to feel cohesive and protect staff and students from the elements. The Deck Foot Anchor’s contribution to these walkways was a small but essential part of ensuring the campus felt like a safe and welcoming environment.

As one teacher, Katy Ledet, expressed:

“You get to bring the gators back to the swamp, and that’s a big deal.”

Courtesy of: 4WWL News

A Community Rebuilt

The success of this project highlights how innovative building solutions like the Deck Foot Anchor can make a significant difference in post-disaster recovery. By supporting the modular walkway foundations, the anchors helped provide stability and safety for students returning to campus.

The temporary campus has allowed 830 students to return to a sense of normalcy, complete with the excitement of Friday night football games and hands-on learning experiences in fully equipped classrooms.

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The Deck Foot Anchor is available in two versatile options to suit different building needs. The Floating variant, equipped with a load plate, is ideal for free-standing structures like decks and pergolas. Meanwhile, the Ledger variant, featuring on open ended load fin, is designed for structures that require frost protection such as where a connection to a house is required.

Both variants offer impressive compression load capacities and install quickly and efficiently in most soil types.

Whether your project is free-standing or ledger-attached, the Deck Foot Anchor delivers a strong, stable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional concrete footings in compatible soil conditions.

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