Flood Risk in Oonoonba, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Oonoonba, Queensland· UNKNOWN
Oonoonba is located near Ross River and coastal areas, making it susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events and sea levels, exacerbating flood risk.Updated 1 Apr 2026

Flood Risk Score

7.5/10

Oonoonba is located near Ross River and coastal areas, making it susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events and sea levels, exacerbating flood risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Oonoonba is located near Ross River and coastal areas, making it susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events and sea levels, exacerbating flood risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Oonoonba, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4811
Highest high-risk exposure
14% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Oonoonba, 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.

Some areas of Oonoonba are designated flood zones and may be subject to specific building regulations.

Oonoonba is located near Ross River and coastal areas, making it susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events and sea levels, 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.

Oonoonba sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 13.7% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 69.2% 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 Oonoonba.

Oonoonba (postcode 4811) 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 (14% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (13.7% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (8.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Oonoonba — 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 WaterwayRoss River
Elevation Range2-5 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

The Townsville floods of 2019 caused widespread damage in Oonoonba and surrounding areas.

2011
Major

Widespread flooding across Queensland impacted Townsville and surrounding suburbs.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to protect against flooding, such as levees and improved drainage systems.

Est. cost: High

Develop a Heat Action Plan

Immediate

Implement a plan to protect vulnerable residents during heatwaves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Medium

Strengthen Coastal Defenses

Long-term

Implement measures to protect against coastal erosion and sea level rise, such as seawalls and beach nourishment.

Est. cost: Very High

Enhance Bushfire Preparedness

Near-term

Clear vegetation around properties and develop evacuation plans to reduce bushfire risk.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Townsville City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 1 April 2026

Explore Oonoonba Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oonoonba at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Oonoonba 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 Oonoonba?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Oonoonba 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 Oonoonba?

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

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 14% of Oonoonba in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 77.9% 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 Oonoonba Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Oonoonba, 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