Flood Risk in Onslow, WA: 2026 Assessment

Onslow, Western Australia· UNKNOWN
Onslow faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and storm surges. The town's low-lying coastal location makes it vulnerable to inundation.Updated 18 Mar 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.5/10

Onslow faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and storm surges. The town's low-lying coastal location makes it vulnerable to inundation.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
Onslow faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and storm surges. The town's low-lying coastal location makes it vulnerable to inundation.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Onslow, WA
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
6710
Highest high-risk exposure
9.2% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Onslow, 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.

Onslow is located on a coastal floodplain, making it susceptible to flooding from both riverine and coastal sources.

Onslow faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from heavy rainfall events and storm surges. The town's low-lying coastal location makes it vulnerable to inundation.

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.

Onslow sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 4.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 69.5% 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 Onslow.

Onslow (postcode 6710) 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 (9.2% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (6.1% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (5.2% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Onslow — 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 WaterwayAshburton River
Elevation Range0-10m
Flood Zone ClassificationCoastal Floodplain

Historical Events

2015
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused flooding in Onslow, disrupting transportation and damaging infrastructure.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade Coastal Defenses

Immediate

Invest in seawalls and other coastal defenses to protect against sea level rise and storm surge.

Est. cost: High

Improve Heatwave Preparedness

Immediate

Develop and implement heatwave early warning systems and public awareness campaigns.

Est. cost: Medium

Enhance Flood Management

Near-term

Improve drainage infrastructure and implement flood-resistant building codes.

Est. cost: Medium

Strengthen Bushfire Resilience

Near-term

Implement bushfire mitigation measures, such as controlled burns and vegetation management.

Est. cost: Medium

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Encourage water conservation practices to reduce water stress during periods of drought.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Shire of Ashburton
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 18 March 2026

Explore Onslow Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Onslow at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Onslow 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 Onslow?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Onslow 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 Onslow?

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

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

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 9.2% of Onslow in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 76.7% 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 Onslow Safe from Climate Risk?

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