Flood Risk in Upper Macdonald, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Upper Macdonald, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Upper Macdonald is located near the Macdonald River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate properties and disrupt infrastructure.Updated 10 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.5/10

Upper Macdonald is located near the Macdonald River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate properties and disrupt infrastructure.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Upper Macdonald is located near the Macdonald River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate properties and disrupt infrastructure.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Upper Macdonald, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2775
Highest high-risk exposure
8.3% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Upper Macdonald, 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 data indicates that the area has experienced several significant flood events in the past.

Upper Macdonald is located near the Macdonald River and is susceptible to flooding. Riverine flooding can inundate properties and disrupt infrastructure.

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.

Upper Macdonald sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 5.1% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 78.8% 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 Upper Macdonald.

Upper Macdonald (postcode 2775) 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 (8.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.1% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.2% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Upper Macdonald — 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 WaterwayMacdonald River
Elevation RangeVaries, low-lying areas near the river
Flood Zone ClassificationAreas adjacent to the Macdonald River are designated as flood zones.

Historical Events

2020
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused the Macdonald River to flood again, impacting homes and businesses.

2013
Moderate

The Macdonald River flooded, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting traffic.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Construct levees and improve drainage systems to protect properties from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement bushfire management plans and conduct regular hazard reduction burns.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Action Plan

Near-term

Develop a heatwave action plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Community Education

Long-term

Educate residents about climate risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Hornsby Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 10 May 2026

Explore Upper Macdonald Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Upper Macdonald at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Upper Macdonald has a notable flood risk profile. Flood risk varies by address — check your specific property for precise flood zone mapping and elevation data with ClimateNest.

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Upper Macdonald?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Upper Macdonald 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 Upper Macdonald?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Upper Macdonald. 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 Upper Macdonald?

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 8.3% of Upper Macdonald in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 71.4% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Upper Macdonald Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Upper Macdonald, 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 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections