Flood Risk in Illaroo, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Illaroo, New South Wales· Shoalhaven
Illaroo faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.Updated 31 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.0/10

Illaroo faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Illaroo faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Illaroo, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2540
Highest high-risk exposure
10.9% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Illaroo, 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.

Historical flood data indicates past events have impacted low-lying areas near the river.

Illaroo faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, exacerbating flood 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.

Illaroo sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 3.7% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 83.2% 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 Illaroo.

Illaroo (postcode 2540) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are bushfire (10.9% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (9.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (3.7% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Illaroo — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.

Local Hazard Evidence

Nearest WaterwayShoalhaven River
Elevation Range5-20 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationPartially within flood zone

Historical Events

2020
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in parts of Illaroo.

2016
Moderate

Flooding along the Shoalhaven River affected low-lying areas in Illaroo.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to mitigate flood risks, such as improved drainage systems and flood barriers.

Est. cost: Medium

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Implement community education programs and improve bushfire management practices.

Est. cost: Low

Develop Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Create a plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, including cooling centers and outreach programs.

Est. cost: Low

Plan for Coastal Adaptation

Long-term

Develop strategies to manage the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion, such as managed retreat or coastal protection measures.

Est. cost: High

Promote Water Conservation

Near-term

Encourage water-saving practices to reduce strain on water resources during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Shoalhaven City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 31 May 2026

Explore Illaroo Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Illaroo at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Illaroo 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 Illaroo?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Illaroo 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 Illaroo?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Illaroo. 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 Illaroo?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Illaroo 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 share of Illaroo is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 10.9% of Illaroo in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 63.4% 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 Illaroo Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Illaroo, 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