๐Ÿ“ฎ Yorkeys Knob postcode: 4878

Flood Risk in Yorkeys Knob, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Yorkeys Knob, Queenslandยท Cairnsยท 4878
Yorkeys Knob is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Heavy rainfall events can lead to stormwater and riverine flooding.Updated 10 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

7.0/10

Yorkeys Knob is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Heavy rainfall events can lead to stormwater and riverine flooding.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Yorkeys Knob is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Heavy rainfall events can lead to stormwater and riverine flooding.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Yorkeys Knob, QLD
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
4878
Highest high-risk exposure
14% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Yorkeys Knob, 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.

Historical flood events have impacted properties in Yorkeys Knob, particularly those close to the Barron River.

Yorkeys Knob is susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Heavy rainfall events can lead to stormwater and riverine flooding.

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.

Yorkeys Knob sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 8% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 70.6% 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 Yorkeys Knob.

Yorkeys Knob (postcode 4878) 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), extreme wind (12.4% of land in high-risk zones), tropical cyclone (10.6% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Yorkeys Knob โ€” 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 WaterwayBarron River
Elevation Range0-10m
Flood Zone ClassificationCoastal and Riverine

Historical Events

2019
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Yorkeys Knob, inundating some properties and disrupting traffic.

2011
Major

Widespread flooding across Queensland impacted Yorkeys Knob, with many homes and businesses affected.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Improve stormwater drainage systems to reduce the risk of flash flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Est. cost: Medium

Protect Coastal Ecosystems

Near-term

Restore and protect mangrove forests and dunes to provide natural buffers against coastal erosion and storm surges.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop a Heatwave Management Plan

Immediate

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

Est. cost: Low

Raise Awareness of Climate Risks

Long-term

Educate residents about the risks of climate change and provide guidance on how to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen Building Codes

Near-term

Update building codes to ensure that new construction is resilient to flooding, coastal inundation, and extreme heat.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Cairns Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 10 March 2026

Explore Yorkeys Knob Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yorkeys Knob at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Yorkeys Knob has a notable flood risk profile. Flood risk varies by address โ€” check your specific property for precise flood zone mapping and elevation data with ClimateNest.

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Yorkeys Knob?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Yorkeys Knob 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 Yorkeys Knob?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Yorkeys Knob. 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 Yorkeys Knob?

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 14% of Yorkeys Knob in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 58.7% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform โ€” individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Yorkeys Knob Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Yorkeys Knob, Queensland, 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 ยท Australian addresses only ยท 8 hazard scores ยท Insurance trajectory ยท 2030 & 2050 projections