Flood Risk in Upper Wilsons Creek, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Upper Wilsons Creek, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Upper Wilsons Creek is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location in a valley and proximity to Wilsons River tributaries. Heavy rainfall events can cause rapid river rises and inundation of low-lying areas.Updated 2 May 2026

Flood Risk Score

8.5/10

Upper Wilsons Creek is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location in a valley and proximity to Wilsons River tributaries. Heavy rainfall events can cause rapid river rises and inundation of low-lying areas.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Upper Wilsons Creek is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location in a valley and proximity to Wilsons River tributaries. Heavy rainfall events can cause rapid river rises and inundation of low-lying areas.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Upper Wilsons Creek, NSW
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
2482
Highest high-risk exposure
12.3% of land (surface flood)

Flood Risk Analysis

Upper Wilsons Creek, 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.

The area has experienced several major flood events in recent years, causing significant damage to property and infrastructure.

Upper Wilsons Creek is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location in a valley and proximity to Wilsons River tributaries. Heavy rainfall events can cause rapid river rises and inundation of low-lying areas.

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 Wilsons Creek 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 71.5% 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 Wilsons Creek.

Upper Wilsons Creek (postcode 2482) 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 (12.3% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (6.1% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Upper Wilsons Creek — 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 WaterwayWilsons River
Elevation Range50-300m
Flood Zone ClassificationYes

Historical Events

2022
Catastrophic

The Wilsons River experienced record flooding, inundating homes and businesses in Upper Wilsons Creek and surrounding areas. Many residents were evacuated, and significant damage was reported.

2017
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused the Wilsons River to flood, inundating low-lying areas in Upper Wilsons Creek. Some residents were evacuated, and roads were closed.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve flood warning systems

Immediate

Invest in more accurate and timely flood warning systems to allow residents to prepare for and evacuate from flood events.

Est. cost: Medium

Strengthen building codes

Near-term

Update building codes to require more resilient construction practices in flood-prone and bushfire-prone areas.

Est. cost: High

Create community evacuation plans

Immediate

Develop and implement community evacuation plans to ensure that residents can safely evacuate during flood and bushfire events.

Est. cost: Low

Restore riparian vegetation

Long-term

Restore riparian vegetation along creeks and rivers to reduce erosion and improve flood mitigation.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire hazard reduction

Near-term

Implement regular bushfire hazard reduction programs to reduce the amount of fuel available for bushfires.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Lismore City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 2 May 2026

Explore Upper Wilsons Creek Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Upper Wilsons Creek at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Upper Wilsons Creek 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 Wilsons Creek?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Upper Wilsons Creek 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 Wilsons Creek?

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

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Upper Wilsons Creek 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 Wilsons Creek is exposed to high surface flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 12.3% of Upper Wilsons Creek in high-risk zones for surface flood, with a further 58.3% 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 Wilsons Creek Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Upper Wilsons Creek, 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