Flood Risk in Tempe, NSW: 2026 Assessment
Flood Risk Score
6.0/10Tempe faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Cooks River and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.
Key Facts
- Flood Risk
- Tempe faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Cooks River and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Tempe, NSW
- Overall Risk
- Medium
- Postcode
- 2044
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 19.7% of land (bushfire)
Flood Risk Analysis
Tempe, 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 events have impacted properties near the Cooks River. Council flood maps provide detailed information on flood risk areas.
Tempe faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Cooks River and low-lying areas. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this 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.
Tempe sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 5.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 77.2% 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 Tempe.
Tempe (postcode 2044) 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 (19.7% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (9.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Tempe 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
Localized flooding occurred due to heavy rainfall.
Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Tempe, disrupting traffic and damaging properties.
Major flooding of the Cooks River impacted low-lying areas of Tempe.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Upgrade drainage infrastructure
Near-termInvest in upgrading drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.
Est. cost: High
Implement urban greening initiatives
Near-termIncrease tree canopy cover and green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade.
Est. cost: Medium
Strengthen coastal protection measures
Long-termImplement measures to protect coastal areas from erosion and inundation, such as seawalls and beach nourishment.
Est. cost: High
Develop community emergency plans
ImmediateCreate community-based emergency plans to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.
Est. cost: Low
Promote water conservation
Near-termEncourage water conservation practices to reduce demand on water resources during droughts.
Est. cost: Low
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Tempe Risk Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tempe at risk of flooding?
Based on available data, Tempe 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 Tempe?
Insurance costs for flood cover in Tempe 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 Tempe?
Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Tempe. 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 Tempe?
Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Tempe 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 Tempe is exposed to high bushfire risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 19.7% of Tempe in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 60.4% 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 Tempe Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Tempe, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
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