Flood Risk in Smithtown, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Smithtown, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Smithtown is located near the Macleay River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas.Updated 18 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.5/10

Smithtown is located near the Macleay River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Smithtown is located near the Macleay River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Smithtown, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2440
Highest high-risk exposure
18.7% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Smithtown, 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 Macleay River has a history of flooding, and Smithtown is located in a floodplain.

Smithtown is located near the Macleay River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas.

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.

Smithtown sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 4.1% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 76.7% 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 Smithtown.

Smithtown (postcode 2440) 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 (18.7% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (8.4% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (4.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Smithtown — 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 WaterwayMacleay River
Elevation Range5-10 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationYes

Historical Events

2013
Moderate

The Macleay River flooded, inundating low-lying areas of Smithtown.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve flood defenses

Near-term

Construct levees and improve drainage to protect against riverine flooding.

Est. cost: High

Implement heatwave early warning system

Immediate

Develop a system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide advice on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Manage bushfire risk

Near-term

Clear vegetation around properties and implement bushfire management plans.

Est. cost: Medium

Upgrade infrastructure

Long-term

Upgrade power grids and water infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Very High

Council & Emergency Services

Kempsey Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 18 May 2026

Explore Smithtown Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Smithtown at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Smithtown 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 Smithtown?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Smithtown 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 Smithtown?

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

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 18.7% of Smithtown in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 62.5% 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 Smithtown Safe from Climate Risk?

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