Flood zones in Sydney in 2026, including which suburbs are at risk, how to check if your property is in a flood zone, and insurance
Lifestyle Desk is a contributing writer covering weather and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
Flood risk in Sydney is assessed by the NSW Government and local councils using a combination of historical flood data, hydraulic modelling, and rainfall data. The flood risk is mapped using flood zones, which are areas that are likely to be inundated during a flood. Flood zones are classified into three categories: low risk, medium risk, and high risk. The flood zone maps are published on the NSW Government website and are used by insurers to assess flood risk.
The following suburbs in Sydney are in high-risk flood zones:
Western Sydney. The Hawkesbury-Nepean River system is the most significant flood risk in Sydney. The river system flows through Richmond, Windsor, Pitt Town, and Wilberforce in the north-west, and through Camden, Campbelltown, and Appin in the south-west. The river system is prone to flooding during heavy rain events, particularly when the Warragamba Dam releases water. The flooding can be severe, with water levels rising several metres in a matter of hours.
Parramatta River. The Parramatta River flows through Parramatta, Rosehill, and Meadowbank. The river is prone to flooding during heavy rain events, particularly when the river is already high from previous rain. The flooding is usually shallow, but it can cause damage to properties and infrastructure.
Georges River. The Georges River flows through Hurstville, Mortdale, and Padstow. The river is prone to flooding during heavy rain events, particularly when the river is already high from previous rain. The flooding is usually shallow, but it can cause damage to properties and infrastructure.
Cooks River. The Cooks River flows through Campsie, Canterbury, and Tempe. The river is prone to flooding during heavy rain events, particularly when the river is already high from previous rain. The flooding is usually shallow, but it can cause damage to properties and infrastructure.
The following suburbs in Sydney are in medium-risk flood zones:
Northern Beaches. The northern beaches, including Manly, Dee Why, and Narrabeen, are prone to flooding during heavy rain events, particularly when the stormwater system is overwhelmed. The flooding is usually shallow and short-lived, but it can cause damage to properties and infrastructure.
Eastern Suburbs. The eastern suburbs, including Bondi, Coogee, and Randwick, are prone to flooding during heavy rain events, particularly when the stormwater system is overwhelmed. The flooding is usually shallow and short-lived, but it can cause damage to properties and infrastructure.
Inner West. The inner west, including Newtown, Marrickville, and Glebe, is prone to flooding during heavy rain events, particularly when the stormwater system is overwhelmed. The flooding is usually shallow and short-lived, but it can cause damage to properties and infrastructure.
The NSW Government provides a flood zone mapping tool on its website. The tool allows you to search for a property by address and see whether it is in a flood zone. The tool is available at NSW Flood Information. The tool shows the flood zone classification for the property and the likelihood of flooding during different size events.
Local councils also provide flood zone mapping on their websites. The council maps may be more detailed than the NSW Government maps and may show local flood risks that are not shown on the state maps.
If you are buying a property, your conveyancer will usually check whether the property is in a flood zone as part of the due diligence process. If the property is in a flood zone, the conveyancer will advise you of the risk and the insurance implications.
If your property is in a flood zone, you may have difficulty obtaining flood insurance. Some insurers exclude flood from their standard home and contents insurance policies, while others offer flood insurance as an optional extra. The cost of flood insurance depends on the flood risk of the property and the level of cover.
If your property is in a high-risk flood zone, you may be required to pay a higher premium for flood insurance, or you may not be able to obtain flood insurance at all. In some cases, the NSW Government provides flood insurance through the Flood Prone Properties Scheme, which provides subsidised flood insurance for properties in high-risk flood zones.
Before you buy a property in a flood zone, you should obtain a flood certificate from the council or a private certifier. The flood certificate will show the flood level for the property and the likelihood of flooding during different size events. You should also obtain a quote for flood insurance to see whether the property is insurable and what the cost will be.
If a flood warning is issued for your area, take the following action:
Prepare to evacuate. Pack an emergency kit with essential items, including important documents, medications, and a change of clothes. Plan your evacuation route and identify a safe place to go.
Move to higher ground. Move to higher ground as soon as possible. Do not wait until the floodwaters reach your property.
Do not drive through floodwaters. Do not drive through floodwaters. Floodwaters can be deeper than they appear and can sweep cars away. Turn around, do not drown.
Do not walk through floodwaters. Do not walk through floodwaters. Floodwaters can be contaminated with sewage and chemicals and can contain hidden hazards, such as sharp objects and strong currents.
Listen to the radio. Listen to local radio for updates and instructions from emergency services.
Check on your neighbours. Check on your neighbours, particularly older people and people with disabilities, to make sure they are safe.
If your property is in a flood zone, you can take steps to reduce the risk of flood damage:
Raise the building. Raise the building on piers or stilts to elevate it above the flood level. Raising the building is the most effective way to reduce flood damage, but it is also the most expensive.
Install flood barriers. Install flood barriers, such as sandbags or flood gates, to prevent floodwaters from entering the property. Flood barriers are effective for shallow flooding, but they are not effective for deep flooding.
Install a flood-proofed floor. Install a flood-proofed floor, such as a concrete floor, to reduce damage from shallow flooding.
Raise electrical outlets. Raise electrical outlets and switches above the flood level to reduce the risk of electrical damage.
Install a sump pump. Install a sump pump to remove floodwater from the property. A sump pump is effective for shallow flooding, but it is not effective for deep flooding.
More information about flood zones in Sydney is available at NSW Flood Information and your local council website.
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