Perimeter flood barriers (cantilever walls) are freestanding, lightweight barriers that can be quickly deployed in the event of an emergency. The barrier can be set up and positioned by just one or two people and offers protection for commercial and emergency environment applications. After the emergency is over, it can be packed up and stored until is needed again. A variety of cantilever wall systems are available from manufacturers, but the common characteristic of cantilever wall barriers is that they rely on the hydrostatic flood load to develop the friction force necessary to resist the lateral flood load. There are various configurations of cantilever wall barrier system, but similarities typically include a lightweight, planar vertical element to retain the floodwater, lateral struts to resist the hydrostatic flood load, and an at-grade element to receive the lateral struts. The systems may or may not require anchorage points at the ends of the barrier and generally require a flat, level surface for installation. In addition, some systems require ground anchorage to resist wind loads should flood water not be present.