Floods are New Zealand’s number one hazard in terms of frequency, losses and declared civil defence emergencies. Floods can cause injury and loss of life, damage to property and infrastructure, loss of stock, and contamination of water and land.
Floods are usually caused by continuous heavy rain or thunderstorms but can also result from tsunami and coastal storm inundation.
Understand the hazards of flooding in Canterbury(external link).
Sandbags can be used during a flood:
However, they can’t stop water coming from under the house and through the floorboards or other access points.
Make them out of feed bags, hessian bags or plastic (polypropylene) sacks. If you have only the plastic open weave type bag, put one inside the other. Don’t use kitchen rubbish bags as they will slip around in the water and may split.
Sandbags are available from:
Address: 55 Byron Street, Sydenham
Phone: (03) 961 3535
Opening hours: 8am to 4.15pm Monday to Friday
Fill them with a heavy or sandy soil or with sand. Sand is available from any garden centre.Place your sandbags lengthwise and parallel to the water flow with the tucked end facing the flow.
If you need more than one row’s height, place the second row crosswise, and the third row lengthwise to strengthen the wall.
When the water has receded, separate your sandbags, lay them out or stand them up and let them dry out thoroughly.
When they are dry, store them for use again. If you leave them wet, they will rot or deteriorate quickly.
To dispose of sandbags scatter the sand in your garden.
Please do not leave on the kerbside as this may clog up the drains.
