Originally designed for use on beaches and marshes for erosion and flood control , the HESCO MIL quickly became a popular security device in the 1990s . HESCO barriers continue to be used for their original purpose . They were used in 2005 to reinforce levees around New Orleans in the few days between Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita . During the June 2008 Midwest floods of HESCO barrier wall were shipped to Iowa . In late March , 2009 , of HESCO barrier were delivered to Fargo , North Dakota to protect against floods . In late September , 2016 , 10 miles of HESCO barriers were used in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , for the fall flood of 2016
June 2008 Midwest floods
June 2008 Midwest floods
Hesco bastion