Reddit mentions: The best spill response kits for labs

Spill Magic SM202DB Liquid Spill Pick-Up Absorbent Powder, 3 lb. Filled Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D3G8I0G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_uf46BbSJS6ES6

You’re in luck

Evolution Sorbent Products XMBGPF1310 Extra Heavy Absorbent, 12 Gal Capacity, Polypropylene, Gray Pad (13" x 10") 100/Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CYCB8JL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hE4uDbD8HY3VV

These are like industrial grade, chemical spill absorbers, much more expensive and no plastic coating on one side

This stuff Spill Magic SM202DB Liquid Spill Pick-Up Absorbent Powder, 3 lb. Filled Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D3G8I0G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4AYmDbDQYBAMB

Ugg, complaining about false equivalencies. I'm not seeing it here. Sandbags or sandbag alternatives are incredibly affordable (saying your house came with smoke detectors already is moot) especially when compared to repair costs. And it all comes down to preparedness. If it was $1250 for a fire extinguisher, would you really not buy it? Do you not value your life that much?

What the hell bags are you looking at? Sandbags (filled) are normally sold for $15 each, or if you buy them by the pallet they are around $10-13 per bag. If you buy empty sandbags, they are roughly $0.50-1.00 each. Then just by bulk sand and fill.

There are numerous other options out there instead of sandbags. These for example: https://smile.amazon.com/FloodSax-FS5R-Self-Inflating-Sandless-Absorbent/dp/B019C6C578/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1492799785&sr=8-7&keywords=flood+prevention

They store nice and flat and compact. You can find similar ones for cheaper elsewhere. I don't think it's too much to ask these people that have often multi-million dollar houses on the Bay to have some of these around, or at least to buy them from the government.

Here is an even easier solution, and it's only $50/ft for 14" of protection.

http://www.basepump.com/index.php/buyonline/#waterbarrier

OP, there's a polymer that absorbs 100x its weight in liquids and it's used in haz mat products and many other products today.

• Here is a water absorbing snake to use as an alternative.
  It's reusable. This one absorbs 10x its weight in water.
  
• It appears each one of these snakes absorbs 52 gallons of water. Or maybe the whole box absorbs 52 gal of water.
  
• You can get it as "fake snow" in hobby shops but it's in small amounts and is somewhat pricey.
  
• And here it is! Sodium polyacrylate. It's a loose powder and turns into a gel but absorbs 500x its weight in water. $4.25usd. 1 lb for $20usd. This might be the same stuff that is in granule form (which you can put in a sock) used to keep your plants damp, found in the garden center.
  
• Here are the crystals you can put in a sock! Only $20usd. Reusable. Dry out in your oven at about 150F.