When the River Avon in Melksham overflowed during Storm Bert, threatening local businesses with floodwaters, Fernco Floodbags proved to be an essential line of defence. This case study highlights the remarkable effectiveness of Fernco Floodbags and their crucial role in helping property owners avoid costly damages.

At Fernco, our mission is to provide innovative, reliable flood protection solutions to safeguard homes and businesses from the devastating effects of water damage. Recently, one of our social media brand ambassadors tested the Fernco Floodbag during a real-life emergency.

Flooding is an ever-growing concern for property owners across the UK. Unpredictable weather often leads to flash floods, even in areas that have never experienced them before. During Storm Bert, the River Avon in Melksham burst its banks, causing 3–4 inches of floodwater to inundate homes and businesses.

Among the affected properties was The Tackle Company, a local business facing the threat of significant stock damage. Without intervention, the flooding could have resulted in thousands of pounds in losses, along with additional costs for labour, drying equipment, and associated expenses—an overwhelming burden for any business owner.

Fortunately, the shop owner utilised Fernco Floodbags, which provided critical protection. Unlike traditional sandbags—heavy, bulky, and often difficult to obtain during emergencies—Fernco Floodbags are a lightweight and efficient alternative. These absorbent bags are filled with super absorbent polymer (SAP), designed to protect properties from flooding, drainage backflow, surface runoff, and plumbing leaks or spills.

Traditional sandbags allow water to seep through over time, reducing their effectiveness as barriers and risking sand leakage that can block drains. By contrast, Fernco Floodbags offer superior reliability and performance in flood situations.

As Ross from Complete Preservation explained: “With Fernco Floodbags, it’s all about logistics. Fernco Floodbags are available in packs of five, weighing less than 2kg in total, whereas sandbags are cumbersome and significantly heavier, leading to higher incident costs. That’s why Fernco Floodbags are the better alternative.”

The use of Fernco Floodbags during this emergency not only protected The Tackle Company’s stock but also avoided the significant costs and disruption associated with flooding. This real-life application underscores the importance of innovative solutions like Fernco Floodbags in mitigating the impact of floods on homes and businesses across the UK.