Flood Risk in Clarence, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Clarence, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Clarence faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate this risk.Updated 5 Apr 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.0/10

Clarence faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate this risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Clarence faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate this risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Clarence, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2790
Region
Regional NSW
Median property value
$550,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat (6/10)
Highest high-risk exposure
12.6% of land (riverine flood)

Flood Risk Analysis

Clarence, located in New South Wales, has a notable flood risk profile based on available data including proximity to waterways, elevation, and historical flood events. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) maintains river height and flood warning data for catchments across New South Wales.

Clarence is located near the Hawkesbury River, making it susceptible to riverine flooding. Historical flood events have caused significant damage in the area.

Clarence faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate this risk.

For a comprehensive property-specific flood assessment including address-level elevation data, flood overlay mapping, and insurance cost estimates, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool. General suburb data cannot replace a site-specific evaluation.

Clarence sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 12.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 63.6% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Clarence.

On ClimateNest's 0–10 suburb hazard index, Clarence scores 3 for flood risk — a lower exposure relative to the Australian suburb range. For comparison, properties in Clarence can still sit well above or below this suburb average depending on elevation, distance to waterways or vegetation, and local drainage.

Clarence located in Regional NSW (postcode 2790), is a New South Wales suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $550,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Clarence.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk in Clarence is extreme heat (score 6/10), with moderate exposure. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+25% by 2030). These suburb-level signals help prioritise which properties need the closest look — the actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.

Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Clarence, extreme heat is the hazard to weigh first. Local council planning controls, state hazard mapping and lender climate policies each reference this kind of suburb-level signal, and property decisions in Clarence are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Nearest WaterwayHawkesbury River
Elevation Range5-20 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationLikely

Historical Events

2013
Minor

Minor flooding occurred in low-lying areas of Clarence due to heavy rainfall.

1990
Moderate

Major flooding along the Hawkesbury River affected Clarence, causing property damage and displacement of residents.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risks, such as levees, drainage systems, and flood-resistant building designs.

Est. cost: High

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement bushfire management strategies, including controlled burns, vegetation clearing, and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Action Plan

Immediate

Create a heatwave action plan to protect vulnerable populations, including establishing cooling centers and providing public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Low

Plan for Sea Level Rise

Long-term

Develop a coastal management plan to address the impacts of sea level rise, including protecting coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

Est. cost: High

Council & Emergency Services

UNKNOWN
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 5 April 2026

Explore Clarence Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clarence at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Clarence has a notable flood risk profile. Flood risk varies by address — check your specific property for precise flood zone mapping and elevation data with ClimateNest.

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Clarence?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Clarence depend on the property's flood zone classification, elevation, and proximity to waterways. ClimateNest provides address-level insurance cost estimates based on your property's specific hazard exposure.

Does flood risk affect property values in Clarence?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Clarence. Properties in mapped flood zones may experience lower buyer demand, reduced valuations, and higher insurance costs. Lenders increasingly assess flood exposure as part of mortgage risk evaluation.

How does elevation affect flood risk in Clarence?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Clarence typically have lower flood exposure than those near waterways or in low-lying areas. Address-level elevation data combined with BOM flood mapping provides the most accurate picture.

What are the main climate risks in Clarence?

ClimateNest's suburb model rates Clarence's dominant climate risk as extreme heat at 6/10 on a 0–10 index, followed by bushfire (5/10) and damaging wind (4/10). These are suburb-level averages — an address-level report is needed to confirm the risk of a specific property in Clarence.

What share of Clarence is exposed to high riverine flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 12.6% of Clarence in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 63.6% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Clarence Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Clarence, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

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What A$69 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections