Floodbags containing polymers which inflate on contact with water to the size of a traditional sandbag have been tried out by a Sussex council.
Adur Council said it can only stock a limited number of traditional sandbags to protect a small number of buildings.
But it said if 1,000 businesses and householders each bought a box of 10 of the hi-tech floodbags, 10,000 could be deployed across Adur in an hour.
The council said several areas of the district were at risk of flooding.
It follows torrential rain last month which saw floods across the county.
Council leader Neil Parkin said: "With tragic scenes of flooding still in people's minds, getting ourselves prepared in case we ever have such a disaster must be recommended.
"These floodbags would certainly help in the early stages and help prevent at least some of the devastating water damage that happens."
He said the floodbags were light when dry and also easy to store, taking up less space than sandbags.
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