Flood Risk in Tumbulgum, NSW: 2026 Assessment
Flood Risk Score
8.5/10Tumbulgum is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location on the Tweed River floodplain. The risk is projected to increase with climate change.
Key Facts
- Flood Risk
- Tumbulgum is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location on the Tweed River floodplain. The risk is projected to increase with climate change.
- Trend
- increasing
- Suburb
- Tumbulgum, NSW
- Overall Risk
- High
- Postcode
- 2490
- Highest high-risk exposure
- 13.7% of land (surface flood)
Flood Risk Analysis
Tumbulgum, 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.
Tumbulgum is located on a floodplain and has a history of significant flooding events.
Tumbulgum is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location on the Tweed River floodplain. The risk is projected to increase with climate change.
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.
Tumbulgum sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 7.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 73.1% 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 Tumbulgum.
Tumbulgum (postcode 2490) 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 surface flood (13.7% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (12% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (7.2% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Tumbulgum 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
Severe flooding of the Tweed River inundated Tumbulgum, causing widespread damage.
Significant flooding impacted Tumbulgum, leading to evacuations and property damage.
Flooding along the Tweed River affected Tumbulgum, causing disruption to residents and businesses.
Adaptation & Mitigation Actions
Improve Flood Defenses
ImmediateInvest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees, flood barriers, and improved drainage systems.
Est. cost: High
Enhance Bushfire Preparedness
Near-termImplement bushfire management strategies, including vegetation clearing, fire breaks, and community education programs.
Est. cost: Medium
Develop a Heatwave Management Plan
Near-termCreate a plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.
Est. cost: Low
Strengthen Coastal Resilience
Long-termImplement measures to protect against coastal erosion and sea level rise, such as beach nourishment and seawalls.
Est. cost: High
Improve Emergency Response
ImmediateEnhance emergency response capabilities, including evacuation plans, early warning systems, and community training.
Est. cost: Medium
Council & Emergency Services
Explore Tumbulgum Risk Reports
View other climate risk assessments for Tumbulgum:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tumbulgum at risk of flooding?
Based on available data, Tumbulgum 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 Tumbulgum?
Insurance costs for flood cover in Tumbulgum 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 Tumbulgum?
Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Tumbulgum. 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 Tumbulgum?
Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Tumbulgum 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 Tumbulgum is exposed to high surface flood risk?
ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 13.7% of Tumbulgum in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 67.5% 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 Tumbulgum Safe from Climate Risk?
Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Tumbulgum, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.
What A$69 could save you from
*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