Flood, storm and tsunami (natural hazards) can happen at any time in NSW. It is important to be aware of the risks in your area to help you to plan, prepare, respond and recover effectively. Understanding past and potential future hazards in your area helps you to make informed decisions that can reduce the impact on individuals, families, businesses and communities.
The local information page provides valuable resources for your Local Government Area (LGA). You can explore flood information for your local river catchment through Local Flood Insights, access local flood plans and guides, and connect with local councils and NSW SES units.
Cooks River
The Cooks River catchment, covering about 100 square kilometres, runs through Canterbury Bankstown, Bayside, Burwood, Inner West and Strathfield local government areas.
The Cooks River catchment is made of up of several major tributary watercourses, including Spring Street Drain, Scarborough Ponds, Muddy Creek, Wolli Creek, Bardwell Creek, Cup and Saucer Creek, Coxs Creek and Alexandra Canal.
The river catchment boundary follows ridgelines across residential areas and along high points of major roads. The catchment flows directly into Botany Bay.
The primary land use within the river catchment is low-density residential areas mixed with several other key land uses, including commercial and industrial areas.
Parramatta River Catchment Flooding
The Parramatta River begins at the confluence for Toongabbie Creek and Darling Mills Creek and runs through the City of Parramatta, Canada Bay, Ryde, Hunters Hill and Inner West LGAs.
Flooding along the Parramatta River can happen because of heavy rain. The lower part of the river is tidal and can experience flooding when high tides coincide with heavy rainfall.
The Bureau of Meteorology does not have any river warning gauges along the Parramatta River.
The City of Parramatta is prone to flash floods. The City of Parramatta provides an early warning service for the Upper Parramatta River within the City of Parramatta. You can sign up for Flood Warnings through FloodSmart Parramatta.
Georges River Catchment
This local government area is part of the Georges River Catchment.
The Georges River catchment area spans approximately 1,000 square kilometres, with rainfall from these areas often contributing to the river's flood effects. The Georges River, located in Sydney's south, stretches around 100 kilometres, flowing through Liverpool, Chipping Norton, Bankstown, and eventually into Botany Bay. It passes through several Local Government Areas (LGAs), including Bayside, Canterbury-Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, and others. The Georges River is one of NSW's most flood-prone areas.
Flood risk on the Georges River
The Georges River has a long history of unpredictable flooding, with each event differing in severity and impact. Flooding can occur rapidly and simultaneously at various points along the river, with the main floodplain between Glenfield and East Hills in the Liverpool, Fairfield, and Canterbury-Bankstown LGAs. Unique to the Georges River, the lower reaches are confined by narrow gorges, which restrict water flow during large floods, leading to varying flood heights, depths, and speeds across different locations. The river's only outlet for floodwater is Botany Bay.
Flooding on the Georges River can be triggered by different weather systems, particularly an East Coast Low, which brings heavy rainfall, leading to overland flow, flash flooding, and rivers breaking their banks. The extent of flooding depends on the intensity and duration of the rainfall, with tidal levels also influencing flood severity. Major tributaries affecting flood behaviour in the Georges River valley include Bunbury Curran Creek, Cabramatta Creek, Prospect Creek, Harris and Williams Creeks, Salt Pan Creek, and the Woronora River.
More information about the Georges River can be found by visiting our Georges River and Woronora River information page, or visiting the Sydney Coast and Georges River Local Flood Insight.
Georges River and Woronora River
Tsunami
The New South Wales coastline may be impacted by tsunami, a series of powerful waves.
While the likelihood of a land-threat tsunami on the east coast of Australia is low, consequences of a tsunami can be devastating as witnessed in Indonesia in 2004 and Japan in 2011.
There have been over 50 recorded tsunami events on the Australian coastline since European settlement. We are more likely to experience marine and immediate foreshore threat tsunami than a land inundation threat tsunami.
Early evacuation could help protect many people. Visit the Tsunami page for more information about tsunami risks.
Visit the Tsunami evacuation map page to view maps showing evacuation areas in the event of a land-threat tsunami.