Flooding and sandbags

If possible, cover doors, windows and airbricks with plywood, sandbags or metal sheeting.

If using sandbags, put a large sheet of heavy-duty plastic between them and the wall of your house. This makes a better defence than sandbags alone. Do not forget that water will come through the airbricks if they are not protected.

A number of firms sell flood shields that can be fitted to doors and airbricks. These are quite expensive, but effective. However, neither these or sandbags will prevent underground seepage, which may lead to flooding from below if river levels remain high for a long time.

Richmond Council does not issue sandbags to residents or businesses for defence of property.

Residents wishing to obtain sandbags should visit their local builders' merchant.