Flood Risk in Lower Macdonald, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Lower Macdonald, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Lower Macdonald is located near the Hawkesbury River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate properties and disrupt infrastructure.Updated 10 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

7.0/10

Lower Macdonald is located near the Hawkesbury River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate properties and disrupt infrastructure.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Lower Macdonald is located near the Hawkesbury River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate properties and disrupt infrastructure.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Lower Macdonald, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2775
Highest high-risk exposure
15.3% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Lower Macdonald, 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.

The Hawkesbury River is known for its significant flood events.

Lower Macdonald is located near the Hawkesbury River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate properties and disrupt infrastructure.

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.

Lower Macdonald sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 10.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 81.4% 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 Lower Macdonald.

Lower Macdonald (postcode 2775) 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 (15.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (10.6% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (8.8% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Lower Macdonald — 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 WaterwayHawkesbury River
Elevation Range5-20 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationYes

Historical Events

2022
Major

Severe flooding of the Hawkesbury River inundated many properties in Lower Macdonald.

2020
Moderate

Moderate flooding along the Hawkesbury River affected some low-lying areas.

2013
Moderate

Flooding along the Hawkesbury River.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Construct levees and improve drainage systems to protect properties from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Develop a Heatwave Plan

Immediate

Create a community heatwave plan to protect vulnerable residents during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Maintain properties to reduce bushfire risk and develop a bushfire survival plan.

Est. cost: Medium

Upgrade Infrastructure

Long-term

Upgrade critical infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Very High

Council & Emergency Services

Hawkesbury City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 10 May 2026

Explore Lower Macdonald Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lower Macdonald at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Lower Macdonald 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 Lower Macdonald?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Lower Macdonald 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 Lower Macdonald?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Lower Macdonald. 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 Lower Macdonald?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Lower Macdonald 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 Lower Macdonald is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 15.3% of Lower Macdonald in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 77.3% 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 Lower Macdonald Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Lower Macdonald, 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