We do not provide sandbags to residents and businesses during a flood.
You can
make your own barriers to help stop flood water coming into your home or business.
We must prioritise our limited stock of sandbags for:
- working with emergency services
- keeping priority roads open
- protecting services such as hospitals, care homes and schools
- supporting recognised flood groups
If you would like more information on becoming a recognised flood group please contact FRM@Leeds.gov.uk.
Getting sandbags
You can buy sandbags from your local DIY store or builders merchants.
Make your own flood barrier
It is your responsibility to make sure your home or business is protected from flood water.
Homemade barriers can be made and material is cheap to buy from your local DIY stores or builders merchants. You can make barriers with:
- rubble bags filled with water and tied at the top
- bags filled with a gel which swells up to help form a water tight seal
Disposing of used sandbags
It is your responsibility to dispose of any used sandbags.
Sandbags that have not come into contact with flood water
If your sandbag has not come into contact with any flood water, you can:
- store this in a dry place so it can be used again
- split the bag open and spread the sand in your garden, placing the empty bag in your general waste bin
- take the the bag to
your nearest recycling centre
Sandbags that have come into contact with flood water
If your sandbag has come into contact with flood water you will need to wrap this in 2 bags and take it to
your nearest recycling centre.
You should always:
- wear gloves and wash hands after handling used sandbags
- lift sandbags using safe techniques to avoid causing injury
Do not place used sandbags in your general waste bin as they could be contaminated by flood water.
Further help and advice
You can get
more information on how to protect your home or business on the National Flood Forum external link.
You can also
check if a flood warning has been issued on GOV.UK external link.
