| Flooding is one of the most lethal catastrophes that | | | | |
| mother nature can summon up. Over the centuries | | | | Flooding can happen anywhere |
| flooding has killed millions of people and left many | | | | When it comes to protecting property and homes the |
| millions more homeless, hungry and destitute. Flooding is | | | | last line of defence has always been the sandbag. But |
| so dangerous because its consequences are multiple | | | | a well constructed sandbag wall will hold back flood |
| and can cause prolonged problems a long time after | | | | waters only temporarily and they do come with other |
| flood waters subside. | | | | problems: |
| Famine, hunger, drought and disease are all common | | | | Sandbags either have to be stored empty and then |
| after floodwater have long gone, which is why a single | | | | filled when needed – this is an arduous task and |
| flood can cause the loss of hundreds of thousands of | | | | requires two people, a large source of sand and a |
| lives. And flooding is universal, it doesn’t matter | | | | good four hours to fill enough sandbags for even a |
| where you are in the world, floods can hit anywhere, | | | | small sandbag wall. |
| at any time and from numerous different causes. | | | | Or they have to be stored and transported full which |
| Heavy rainfall, snow, damaged drains, earthquakes, | | | | can be a logistical nightmare – and filling sandbags is |
| damming and soil erosion can all cause floods and it | | | | not a straightforward task – an incorrectly filled |
| can be very difficult to predict. And once flood waters | | | | sand bag will not defend against water. If you do find |
| rise there is very little that can be done to prevent it. | | | | yourself having to fill sandbags, only half fill them and |
| In some areas of the world, flood defences can go | | | | stack them tightly in layers like you would if you were |
| some way to prevent flooding. The London Thames | | | | building a brick wall. |
| Barrier is a good example as the South Bank has | | | | There are alternatives to the traditional sandbag that |
| never flooded since its installation, but these expensive | | | | remove all these problems. Instant sandbags actually fill |
| projects are not always practical or affordable in | | | | with water and become watertight but can be used in |
| every area. | | | | the same manner as conventional sandbags. |
| And floods sometimes happen in areas that it’s | | | | The great advantage of these instant sandbags is that |
| least expected. Rising ground water, blocked drains | | | | they can be stored flat, don’t need to be filled in |
| and a whole host of other reasons can cause floods | | | | advance and only take minutes to fill when needed. |
| in areas miles from water sources. | | | | And when it comes to flooding every minute matters! |