๐Ÿ“ฎ Tempe postcode: 2044

Flood Risk in Tempe, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Tempe, New South Walesยท Inner Westยท 2044
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.Updated 22 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.0/10

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.

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

Nearest WaterwayCooks River
Elevation Range5-15 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationAreas adjacent to Cooks River are designated flood zones.

Historical Events

2020
Minor

Localized flooding occurred due to heavy rainfall.

2011
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Tempe, disrupting traffic and damaging properties.

1990
Moderate

Major flooding of the Cooks River impacted low-lying areas of Tempe.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade drainage infrastructure

Near-term

Invest in upgrading drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: High

Implement urban greening initiatives

Near-term

Increase tree canopy cover and green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade.

Est. cost: Medium

Strengthen coastal protection measures

Long-term

Implement measures to protect coastal areas from erosion and inundation, such as seawalls and beach nourishment.

Est. cost: High

Develop community emergency plans

Immediate

Create community-based emergency plans to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Promote water conservation

Near-term

Encourage water conservation practices to reduce demand on water resources during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Inner West Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 22 May 2026

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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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