๐Ÿ“ฎ Clarendon postcode: 5157

Flood Risk in Clarendon, SA: 2026 Assessment

Clarendon, South Australiaยท Onkaparingaยท 5157
Clarendon faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from the nearby Onkaparinga River and local creeks. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties close to waterways.Updated 15 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

4.5/10

Clarendon faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from the nearby Onkaparinga River and local creeks. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties close to waterways.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Clarendon faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from the nearby Onkaparinga River and local creeks. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties close to waterways.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Clarendon, SA
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
5157
Highest high-risk exposure
17.1% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Clarendon, located in South Australia, 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 South Australia.

Historical flood data indicates that properties near the river are most vulnerable.

Clarendon faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from the nearby Onkaparinga River and local creeks. Intense rainfall events can lead to flash flooding, impacting low-lying areas and properties close to waterways.

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.

Clarendon sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 3.7% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 85.5% 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 Clarendon.

Clarendon (postcode 5157) 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 (17.1% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (5.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (3.7% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Clarendon 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 WaterwayOnkaparinga River
Elevation Range150-250m
Flood Zone ClassificationAreas near the Onkaparinga River are designated as flood zones.

Historical Events

2016
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Clarendon, impacting roads and properties near the Onkaparinga River.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Develop a community bushfire plan

Immediate

Create a plan that outlines evacuation routes, communication strategies, and property protection measures.

Est. cost: Low

Improve flood management infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems and construct flood barriers to protect properties near the Onkaparinga River.

Est. cost: Medium

Implement a heatwave response plan

Immediate

Establish cooling centers and provide support to vulnerable residents during heatwave events.

Est. cost: Low

Promote water conservation

Long-term

Encourage residents to reduce water consumption and implement water-efficient landscaping practices.

Est. cost: Low

Support local farmers in adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices

Near-term

Provide resources and training to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and reduce their environmental impact.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Onkaparinga City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 15 March 2026

Explore Clarendon Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clarendon at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Clarendon 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 Clarendon?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Clarendon 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 Clarendon?

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

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 17.1% of Clarendon in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 68.7% 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 Clarendon Safe from Climate Risk?

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