๐Ÿ“ฎ Thornleigh postcode: 2120

Flood Risk in Thornleigh, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Thornleigh, New South Walesยท Hornsbyยท 2120
Thornleigh faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and nearby waterways. Properties in low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.Updated 11 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

4.5/10

Thornleigh faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and nearby waterways. Properties in low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Thornleigh faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and nearby waterways. Properties in low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Thornleigh, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2120
Highest high-risk exposure
22.8% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Thornleigh, 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.

Hornsby Shire Council provides flood maps and information for residents.

Thornleigh faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and nearby waterways. Properties in low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.

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.

Thornleigh sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 9.5% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 82.7% 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 Thornleigh.

Thornleigh (postcode 2120) 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 (22.8% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (10.5% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (9.5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Thornleigh 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 WaterwayBerowra Creek
Elevation Range80-180 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationSome areas near Berowra Creek are designated flood zones.

Historical Events

2013
Moderate

Significant rainfall led to flash flooding in parts of Thornleigh, causing road closures and property damage.

1990
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flooding in low-lying areas of Thornleigh, affecting some residential properties.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Install flood barriers, improve drainage systems, and elevate vulnerable equipment to protect properties from flood damage.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Create a bushfire survival plan, clear vegetation around homes, and install fire-resistant building materials.

Est. cost: Low to Medium

Heatwave Preparedness

Near-term

Install air conditioning, improve home insulation, and establish cooling centers for vulnerable residents.

Est. cost: Medium to High

Water Conservation

Long-term

Implement water-saving measures, such as installing rainwater tanks and using water-efficient appliances, to reduce water demand during droughts.

Est. cost: Low to Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Hornsby Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 11 May 2026

Explore Thornleigh Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thornleigh at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Thornleigh 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 Thornleigh?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Thornleigh 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 Thornleigh?

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

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 22.8% of Thornleigh in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 59.9% 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 Thornleigh Safe from Climate Risk?

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