Flood Risk in Maclean, NSW: 2026 Assessment
Flood Risk Score
7.0/10Maclean is located near the Clarence River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and riverine overflow. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.
Key Facts
- Flood Risk
- Maclean is located near the Clarence River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and riverine overflow. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Maclean, NSW
- Overall Risk
- Medium
- Postcode
- 2463
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 15.4% of land (bushfire)
Flood Risk Analysis
Maclean, 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 Clarence River has a history of flooding in Maclean. Council maintains flood maps and provides information to residents.
Maclean is located near the Clarence River and is susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and riverine overflow. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, 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.
Maclean sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 5.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 80.4% 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 Maclean.
Maclean (postcode 2463) 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 (15.4% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.2% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Maclean โ 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
Historical Events
Heavy rainfall caused the Clarence River to flood, impacting some properties in Maclean.
The Clarence River experienced moderate flooding, inundating low-lying areas of Maclean.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
Near-termInvest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees and drainage systems.
Est. cost: High
Enhance Bushfire Preparedness
Near-termImplement bushfire mitigation measures, such as hazard reduction burns and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Develop Heatwave Response Plan
ImmediateCreate a plan to protect vulnerable populations during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Low
Plan for Sea Level Rise
Long-termAssess the potential impacts of sea level rise on Maclean and develop strategies to adapt to these changes.
Est. cost: Medium
Upgrade Building Codes
Near-termIncorporate climate resilience measures into building codes to ensure new construction is better prepared for extreme weather events.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Maclean Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Maclean:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maclean at risk of flooding?
Based on available data, Maclean has a notable flood risk profile. Flood risk varies by address โ check your specific property for precise flood zone mapping and elevation data with ClimateNest.
What flood insurance costs can I expect in Maclean?
Insurance costs for flood cover in Maclean 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 Maclean?
Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Maclean. 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 Maclean?
Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Maclean 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 Maclean is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 15.4% of Maclean in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 59.5% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform โ individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.
Is Maclean Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Maclean, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
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