Flooding

Sandbags will only be provided in response to emergency situations where there is an imminent risk of internal flooding. Where there is a large number of requests, priority will be given to Swindon’s more vulnerable residents.

You cannot collect sandbags from any of our depots and you cannot reserve them before the flooding has occurred. If you require sandbags as a precautionary measure you will need to make your own arrangements to purchase them from local suppliers. 

We do not have a statutory duty to provide sandbags, but we are aware that the community expects the council to help where flooding is imminent. It is important that we handle enquiries sympathetically but in accordance with the following principles: 

• We will maintain a stock of sandbags at our Swindon depot with space for approximately 500 sandbags to be stored on site
• If requests for supply or delivery are received during an emergency situation, we will consider them sympathetically on a case-by-case basis according to apparent vulnerability and level of risk
• We will not supply sandbags in advance based on forecasts. In circumstances where a property owner is preparing for a flood but not yet experiencing it, we will encourage people to look to local suppliers such as builders’ merchants; where they can purchase them or possibly have them delivered. This will help to preserve our stocks for emergency response.
• Once issued to property owners, the disposal of contaminated sandbags following a flooding event will not be our responsibility. Information can be provided on the most appropriate method of disposal but once issued, the sandbags become the property of the occupier or business.
• Where a property or business has been issued sandbags for one flood event; this does not give automatic priority during another storm event. Each request for sandbags will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  

Key points to note

• We have limited supplies of sandbags and these can be used up quite quickly
• We aim to react quickly but flooding is notoriously difficult to predict and can change rapidly.
• We can accept no liability should we be unable to deliver sandbags before flood waters enter the property or should the sandbags be ineffective for the volume of water
• Builders Merchants or sandbag supplier details for the various areas can be located by carrying out a search on the internet
• A severe flood warning means you should prepare to evacuate your home. You should contact and follow the advice of the emergency services during a major flood event. 
• The following web pages give useful advice on how to prepare for a flood: 
  • National Flood Forum website
  • Government website
• Ensure you report incidences of flooding. Guidance on who to report to can be found our Report an incident of flooding or standing water page.
• If your property is in imminent danger of internal flooding, telephone 01793 445500 to make a request for sandbags. Please note: Gardens and outbuildings do not qualify as internal flooding.