How to deal with a flood

Sandbags are useful for directing or restricting the flow of water. You can buy sandbags from most DIY stores, though they do have some downsides. The Environment Agency lists the following as potential issues with sandbags:

• they are heavy, and so can be difficult to handle
• when they come into contact with floodwater they retain sewage
• the bag material used is biodegradable and will disintegrate if left in contact with water for long periods of time

View more information about how to use sandbags when preparing for a flood.