A council is to provide ‘sandless sandbags’ to homes after they were hit by terrible floods.

More than 300 homes in the Solihull area of the West Midlands were damaged by floodwater during a freak deluge in May 2018 which saw over a month’s worth of rain fall in just under an hour.

Solihull Council has carried out an investigation into how it happened and among a number of measures has decided to provide people with FloodSax sandless sandbags.

Nationwide, councils have no responsibility to supply sandbags which leaves many council taxpayers shocked when they realise it’s too late to stop major flooding from badly damaging their homes. It is the responsibility of homeowners and businesses to make sure they have their own flood protection.

The Environment Agency has long warned about the shortcomings of sandbags, saying “sandbags are relatively ineffective when compared to purpose designed flood protection.”

More than 2.5 million FloodSax have been sold worldwide and they have proved themselves in action time and time again, including stopping water from storm surges getting into homes in the USA. They are vacuumed packed so easy and space-saving to store and then inflate in minutes once they come into contact with water.

The Solihull Observer reports that many residents were angry at what they perceived as the council’s failure to protect them from floods and an inadequate response in its wake. Some homes were so badly damaged last May their owners remain in temporary accommodation and repairs are still being carried out on many more.

The council’s report states: “Many of the properties that were affected are shown to be at risk from flooding on mapping produced by the Environment Agency.”

Clr Tim Hodgson added: “Some people lost everything and I am pleased that lessons have been learned and there is recognition that more work needs to be done. Detailed modelling work is being carried out to develop business cases for new flood defence systems.

“Other actions have included drains being cleared and supplies of FloodSax will be provided to residents in at risk areas.”

* Written by Andy Hirst at AH! PR http://www.ah-pr.com/