COUNCIL POLICY ON THE PROVISION OF SANDBAGS FOR FLOOD DEFENCE
As a response to actual flood emergencies:
Local Authorities have no statutory obligation to provide materials for flood protection but, as a caring Authority, East Lindsey District Council will supply filled sandbags as an emergency measure in the following circumstances:
- For the benefit of communities and individuals who are likely to be at risk during an officially declared Severe Flood Warning, the likelihood of risk generally being derived from a previous history of flooding under such circumstances in that area. Quantities are delivered in an actual Severe Flood Warning situation and not as a contingency against such a condition occurring.
- In special cases for individuals where their home is in imminent danger of being flooded.
Due to the potentially high demand and wide area of distribution in some flooding emergencies it may not be possible to guarantee delivery to all persons requesting. Under such circumstances, delivery will be made on a priority basis to those who appear to be in greatest need and where the provision of such materials is likely to be most effective.
A major consideration will be whether sandbags would serve a useful purpose in mitigating flood damage. Sandbags can make a critical difference in diverting shallow flowing water that has somewhere else to go, or deflecting waves caused in shallow water by passing vehicles. However, they are not waterproof and will fail to keep floods out of buildings where the mean water level outside is higher than the doorstep or any airbrick ventilators. Requesting them in circumstances where they would not be effective is likely to prevent or delay their delivery to those who would benefit from urgent delivery.
As a contingency against potential flooding risks:
Householders are advised not to rely on the Council being able to respond to all needs in an emergency. It would therefore be prudent to reflect upon measures that can be taken now to prepare for potential flooding in the future.
Removable Floor Boards are a significantly more effective and convenient means of preventing water entry to doors and airbricks, and can be fitted by any reputable local builder.
Filled sandbags in quantities to suit most requirements can be also purchased from Builders Merchants who will deliver them.
Empty Sandbags - As a non-emergency service, the Council offers these for sale at cost price (26p each) from:-
Louth Area Office
Skegness Area Office, Town Hall, North Parade, Skegness
Horncastle Area Office
Mablethorpe Area Office
These bags are light and easy to carry and store for future use. Sand to fill them may be purchased at low cost from builders merchants, or garden soil may be used in an emergency. Empty bags last longer with proper storage as they do not suffer from rot caused by leaving them filled with damp sand.
Advice
Comprehensive and helpful advice on planning ahead for such emergencies is available on the following Websites:
or by calling the Environment Agency FLOODLINE on 0845 988 1188.
Act now and have the assurance of being adequately prepared.
