๐Ÿ“ฎ Port Pirie postcode: 5540

Flood Risk in Port Pirie, SA: 2026 Assessment

Port Pirie, South Australiaยท Port Pirie Regional Councilยท 5540
Port Pirie faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are expected to exacerbate this risk.Updated 23 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.5/10

Port Pirie faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are expected to exacerbate this risk.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Port Pirie faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are expected to exacerbate this risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Port Pirie, SA
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
5540
Highest high-risk exposure
15.2% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Port Pirie, 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.

Low-lying areas near the coast are most vulnerable to flooding.

Port Pirie faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to waterways. Increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise are expected to exacerbate this 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.

Port Pirie sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 1.8% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 76.6% 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 Port Pirie.

Port Pirie (postcode 5540) 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 (15.2% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (5.8% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (5.1% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Port Pirie 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 WaterwaySpencer Gulf
Elevation Range0-10 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationCoastal Flood Zone

Historical Events

2023
Minor

Localized flooding occurred in low-lying areas of Port Pirie after heavy rainfall.

2011
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in Port Pirie, damaging homes and businesses.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

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

Est. cost: Medium

Implement Heatwave Management Plan

Immediate

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

Est. cost: Low

Protect Coastal Areas

Long-term

Implement coastal protection measures to reduce the impact of sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Est. cost: High

Promote Water Conservation

Near-term

Encourage water conservation practices to reduce water stress during droughts.

Est. cost: Low

Community Awareness Programs

Near-term

Run community awareness programs to educate residents about climate change risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Port Pirie Regional Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 23 March 2026

Explore Port Pirie Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Port Pirie at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Port Pirie 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 Port Pirie?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Port Pirie 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 Port Pirie?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Port Pirie. 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 Port Pirie?

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 15.2% of Port Pirie in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 73.1% 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 Port Pirie Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Port Pirie, 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