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Local Authorities are not under any legal obligation to supply sandbags, and we do not supply them on demand. However, in extreme conditions when the Environment Agency is predicting major river flooding, we will try our best to deliver sandbags to a limited number of homes that are known to be most at risk.
Delivered sandbags are the responsibility of each individual householder who will need to ensure they are correctly sited and stored for future use.
If you live in a flood risk area you should consider making your own flood defence preparations if you have not already done so. Do remember that the responsibility for protecting your property lies in the first instance with you, the property owner.
Sandbags and sand can be obtained from most builders' merchants. But be aware that some suppliers consider sandbags to be a seasonal product, and therefore they may not always be held in stock. Sandbags should be used to block not only doorways but also airbricks, to prevent water from getting beneath floorboards or into cavities.
There are products other than sandbags that can be purchased and used for temporary flood protection. |The Environment Agency has a list of suppliers of such kitemark-certified products.
Commercial organisations are responsible for carrying out their own flood risk assessments and for preparing their premises accordingly. This will of course include ordering their own supplies of sandbags or whatever defences are deemed necessary.