Is Yarravel, NSW Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Yarravel, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 18 May 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.8/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
Yarravel faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to the Macleay River. Riverine flooding can inundate low-lying areas.
Bushfire
Bushfire risk in Yarravel is moderate, with surrounding bushland posing a threat during dry periods and high winds.
Heat
Yarravel is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves, impacting vulnerable populations and infrastructure.
Storm
Moderate storm risk — East Coast Lows bring severe weather including hail and damaging winds
Postcode
2440
Highest high-risk exposure
7.5% of land (bushfire)

Climate Safety Analysis

Yarravel in New South Wales has an overall climate safety rating of Medium. This multi-hazard assessment combines flood, bushfire, heat, coastal, and storm risk data with climate projections to 2050 from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Key factors affecting Yarravel's climate safety include heat, flood. Each hazard is assessed independently and combined for an overall picture. Australia has warmed by approximately 1.5 °C since 1910, with flow-on effects to fire weather, extreme rainfall, and heatwave frequency.

Climate safety for property in Yarravel is not uniform — it varies by address. Factors such as elevation, distance to waterways, proximity to bushland, and local drainage all influence actual risk at a specific property. Two nearby properties can have materially different risk profiles.

For a complete property-specific climate safety report for Yarravel including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

Yarravel (postcode 2440) 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 (7.5% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (5.8% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.4% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Yarravel — 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

Distance to BushlandAdjacent to forested areas
BAL OverlayBushfire prone area
Nearest WaterwayMacleay River
Flood ZoneLikely to be affected by riverine flooding
Avg January Max31.5 °C

Historical Events

2023
Major

Major flooding event impacted Yarravel, causing widespread damage and evacuations.

2019
Moderate

Bushfires in the surrounding region caused smoke haze and elevated fire risk in Yarravel.

2017
Minor

A severe storm caused localized flooding and power outages in Yarravel.

2013
Moderate

Significant flooding of the Macleay River inundated low-lying areas of Yarravel.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Immediate

Upgrade drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of flooding.

Est. cost: High

Implement Bushfire Management Strategies

Near-term

Clear vegetation around properties and implement firebreaks to reduce the risk of bushfire damage.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop a Heatwave Management Plan

Immediate

Establish cooling centers and provide support for vulnerable populations during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Raise Community Awareness

Long-term

Educate residents about climate change risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen Riverbank Protection

Near-term

Implement measures to protect riverbanks from erosion and reduce the risk of flooding.

Est. cost: High

Council & Emergency Services

Kempsey Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 18 May 2026

Explore Yarravel Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yarravel safe from climate change?

No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Yarravel has an overall Medium climate risk rating. Understanding the specific hazards at your property address — not just the suburb average — provides the most reliable risk picture.

Which climate hazard poses the biggest risk in Yarravel?

The dominant hazard for Yarravel depends on geography and local environment. Proximity to waterways elevates flood risk, while proximity to bushland increases bushfire risk. ClimateNest's multi-hazard analysis identifies the highest-risk hazards for any specific address.

How does Yarravel compare to nearby suburbs for climate safety?

Nearby suburbs may have different climate risk profiles depending on elevation, vegetation cover, drainage patterns, and land use. ClimateNest allows comparison of climate safety scores across New South Wales suburbs.

Should I be concerned about buying property in Yarravel?

Climate risk should be one factor in your decision, alongside price, location, and amenity. An informed buyer understands the specific risks at a property address and factors insurance costs and climate projections into their assessment of long-term value.

What climate projections should I know for Yarravel?

Key projections for New South Wales from CSIRO include increased average temperatures, more frequent hot days, changes in rainfall seasonality, longer fire seasons, and potential increases in extreme rainfall intensity. These trends inform the long-term outlook for Yarravel.

What share of Yarravel is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 7.5% of Yarravel in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 75% 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 Yarravel Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Yarravel, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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