Flood Risk in Derby, WA: 2026 Assessment

Derby, Western Australia· UNKNOWN
Derby faces a high risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Fitzroy River. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.Updated 2 Apr 2026

Flood Risk Score

8.5/10

Derby faces a high risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Fitzroy River. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Derby faces a high risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Fitzroy River. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash flooding.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Derby, WA
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
6728
Highest high-risk exposure
19.4% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Derby, located in Western 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 Western Australia.

Historical flood events have impacted Derby, highlighting the need for improved flood management strategies.

Derby faces a high risk of flooding due to its low-lying coastal location and proximity to the Fitzroy River. Intense rainfall events can lead to riverine and flash 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.

Derby sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 6.8% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 86.4% 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 Derby.

Derby (postcode 6728) 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 (19.4% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (8.7% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (6.8% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Derby — 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 WaterwayFitzroy River
Elevation Range0-10m
Flood Zone ClassificationCoastal Floodplain

Historical Events

2023
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in parts of Derby, disrupting traffic and damaging property.

2011
Moderate

Major flooding of the Fitzroy River impacted Derby, causing damage to infrastructure and homes.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Flood Defenses

Immediate

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

Est. cost: High

Develop a Heat Action Plan

Near-term

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

Est. cost: Medium

Implement Coastal Protection Measures

Near-term

Protect coastal areas from erosion and inundation through measures such as seawalls, beach nourishment, and managed retreat.

Est. cost: High

Improve Bushfire Preparedness

Long-term

Reduce the risk of bushfires through fuel reduction, firebreaks, and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Shire of Derby/West Kimberley
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 2 April 2026

Explore Derby Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Derby at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Derby 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 Derby?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Derby 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 Derby?

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

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 19.4% of Derby in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 54.3% 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 Derby Safe from Climate Risk?

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