Flood Risk in Babinda, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Babinda, Queensland· UNKNOWN
Babinda is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location in a high rainfall area and proximity to the Russell River. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.Updated 3 Apr 2026

Flood Risk Score

8.5/10

Babinda is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location in a high rainfall area and proximity to the Russell River. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Babinda is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location in a high rainfall area and proximity to the Russell River. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Babinda, QLD
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
4861
Highest high-risk exposure
17.6% of land (riverine flood)

Flood Risk Analysis

Babinda, located in Queensland, 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 Queensland.

Babinda has a history of significant flooding events, with the Russell River frequently exceeding its banks during periods of heavy rainfall.

Babinda is highly susceptible to flooding due to its location in a high rainfall area and proximity to the Russell River. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.

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.

Babinda sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 17.6% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 73.7% 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 Babinda.

Babinda (postcode 4861) 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 riverine flood (17.6% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (12.5% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (10.2% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Babinda — 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 WaterwayRussell River
Elevation Range10-30 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationHigh risk flood zone

Historical Events

2023
Moderate

Significant flooding occurred in Babinda due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, leading to road closures and property damage.

2019
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused the Russell River to flood, inundating low-lying areas of Babinda.

2011
Major

Severe flooding in Babinda caused widespread damage to homes and businesses after heavy rainfall associated with Cyclone Yasi.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve flood warning systems

Immediate

Develop and implement a comprehensive flood warning system to provide timely alerts to residents and businesses.

Est. cost: $50,000

Upgrade flood mitigation infrastructure

Near-term

Invest in upgrading flood mitigation infrastructure, such as levees and drainage systems, to reduce the impact of flooding.

Est. cost: $500,000

Develop a heatwave management plan

Immediate

Develop and implement a heatwave management plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: $20,000

Promote sustainable land management practices

Long-term

Promote sustainable land management practices to reduce the risk of bushfires and improve water quality.

Est. cost: $10,000

Community education programs

Near-term

Implement community education programs to raise awareness about climate change risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: $15,000

Council & Emergency Services

Cassowary Coast Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 3 April 2026

Explore Babinda Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Babinda at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Babinda 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 Babinda?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Babinda 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 Babinda?

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

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 17.6% of Babinda in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 73.7% 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 Babinda Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Babinda, Queensland, 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