Creating a Community Flood Store: Equipment and Water Pumps

Creating a Community Flood Store: What Equipment Flood Groups Actually Hold (Insights from the Study)

Community flood stores are one of the most practical forms of resilience, because they reduce response time and allow communities to act during the critical first hours of an incident.

This blog is based on the data collated from the Flood Protection Solutions Ltd study with Cranfield University where 120 flood groups were identified, with 21 people interviewed, including in person visits.

What the study found about equipment and preparedness

Participants, in total, gave 22 different measures their groups have undertaken. The most popular answer was ‘campaigning for defences’ which all 21 participants ticked. Generally, this is the remit for Flood Groups, therefore it is not a surprise to see it as the most popular measure. ‘Promoting resilience measures’ and ‘preparedness for future events’ both saw 19 ticks. Following this the other popular answers were ‘Pressure LLFAs, local council, agencies etc’ with 18, ‘educating local area on flooding’ with 16 and ‘channel vegetation clearing’ with 15. Out of the first set of measures put on the survey, all measures were undertaken, with at least one group undertaking each. 

The study recorded “increase of equipment in stock” as a recognised measure among 11 participants, over 50%. It also recorded the use of temporary flood barriers, plus broader preparedness measures like planning and readiness (19 reported preparedness for future events).

What typically belongs in a community flood store (aligned to study themes)

Based on the measures and practices described in the study, a practical community flood store commonly includes:

• Temporary barriers (noted explicitly as deployed by participants)
• Pumps and equipment (consistent with “equipment stock” and flood response preparedness) including the likes of Puddle Pumps and Submersible Pumps

• Radios / communications (aligned with the emphasis on warning systems and coordinated response)
• PPE and basic tools for clearance activity (aligned with clearance after flood events, channel clearing, maintaining infrastructure)
• Flood plan documents and quick‑action checklists (flood plans were explicitly listed in “other” measures)

Why flood stores are important

The study highlighted that groups often face funding complexity and slow release of money, meaning communities need to focus on what they can control: preparedness, local organisation, and practical kit that can be deployed quickly.

Image showing community deploying a Water-Gate roll-out flood barrier.