๐Ÿ“ฎ South West Rocks postcode: 2431

Flood Risk in South West Rocks, NSW: 2026 Assessment

South West Rocks, New South Walesยท Kempseyยท 2431
South West Rocks is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to the ocean and rivers. Heavy rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.Updated 8 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.5/10

South West Rocks is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to the ocean and rivers. Heavy rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
South West Rocks is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to the ocean and rivers. Heavy rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
South West Rocks, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2431
Highest high-risk exposure
9.5% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

South West Rocks, 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.

Several properties are located within known flood zones.

South West Rocks is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying areas and proximity to the ocean and rivers. Heavy rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.

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.

South West Rocks sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 3.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 73.6% 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 South West Rocks.

South West Rocks (postcode 2431) 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 (9.5% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (6.5% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.4% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across South West Rocks 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

Nearest WaterwayMacleay River
Elevation Range0-50m
Flood Zone ClassificationYes

Historical Events

2013
Moderate

Major flooding occurred in the Macleay River, impacting South West Rocks and surrounding areas. Many residents were evacuated.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems to handle increased rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding.

Est. cost: High

Implement Bushfire Management Plans

Near-term

Develop and implement bushfire management plans to reduce the risk of bushfires impacting the community.

Est. cost: Medium

Protect Coastal Ecosystems

Long-term

Protect and restore coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves and dunes, to provide natural protection against coastal erosion.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Response Plans

Immediate

Develop and implement heatwave response plans to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Raise Awareness

Near-term

Educate the community about climate risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Kempsey Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 8 March 2026

Explore South West Rocks Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South West Rocks at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, South West Rocks 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 South West Rocks?

Insurance costs for flood cover in South West Rocks 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 South West Rocks?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in South West Rocks. 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 South West Rocks?

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 9.5% of South West Rocks in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 81.4% 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 South West Rocks Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for South West Rocks, 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 ยท Australian addresses only ยท 8 hazard scores ยท Insurance trajectory ยท 2030 & 2050 projections