For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call NSW SES on 132 500   In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
NSW SES
translate keyboard_arrow_down

Local information

Cessnock

Suburb
Not set
Local Government Area
Cessnock
River catchments
Hawkesbury River
Hunter River
Macquarie-Tuggerah Lakes
Use the search below to set or change your suburb

Cessnock

The Cessnock Local Government Area faces flood risks from various sources. In Branxton, Greta, and Huntlee, flooding can result from heavy rainfall over surrounding creeks like Black, Anvil, and Sawyers Creek. Anvil Creek and Hunter River flooding are significant concerns, with Anvil Creek flooding affecting areas along its entire length due to rainfall over its catchments. Hunter River flooding impacts lower reaches and floodplains, extending even to Greta, though the town's higher elevation mitigates widespread flooding within. Kurri Kurri and its surrounding towns, including Abermain and Weston, are primarily affected by flooding from Wallis Creek, Swampy Creek, and Fishery Creek catchments. These floods often lead to road closures, like Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow and Mount Dee, isolating residents and causing detours. Flash flood warning systems, including sirens at strategic locations, are being installed to alert residents of rising creek levels.

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.

Branxton and Greta

Branxton, Greta, and Huntlee face flood risks from Black, Anvil, and Sawyers Creeks. Anvil Creek flooding occurs along its entire length due to heavy rainfall over the Anvil and Red House Creek catchments. Hunter River flooding, driven by rainfall over the broader Hunter and Goulburn River catchments, can affect the lower reaches and floodplains of Anvil Creek, with the extent potentially reaching upstream to Greta. However, Greta, situated on higher ground, is unlikely to experience widespread flooding. Flooding on Anvil Creek and the Hunter River can occur independently or simultaneously, posing varying levels of risk to the area.

Kurri Kurri

This area includes surrounding small towns of Abermain, Heddon Greta, Cliftleigh, Mulbring, Neath, Pelaw Main, Loxford, Stanford Merthyr, Mount Vincent and Weston.

The area is primarily impacted by flooding from the Wallis Creek, Swampy Creek, and Fishery Creek catchments, with significant events in 2007, 2015, and 2022. Swamp Creek, originating in the Broken Back Range, flows through Neath, Abermain, and Weston before draining into Wentworth Swamp. Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow frequently floods, causing major detours between Maitland and Cessnock and restricting access to the Hunter Expressway.

During larger events, Cessnock Road at Mount Dee also floods, isolating thousands of residents in Gillieston Heights, as seen in the April 2015 event. Weston and Loxford are at risk during serious Swamp Creek events, with road closures at Abermain possible during floods exceeding 1% AEP. Cessnock Council has installed flood warning systems for Swamp-Fishery Creek and the Cessnock Urban Area, with proposed flash flood siren systems at Elizabeth Street in Abermain and Thomas Fell Park in Weston.

Local Flood Insights

The Local Flood Insights tool offers an overview of flood-prone areas, historic flood events, and modelled flood risks through detailed maps, data and community stories. This website-based platform combines flood inundation mapping, photos and personal accounts from local residents about the impacts of past floods and ways to prepare for future floods.

This information is useful to community members, travellers, or anyone wanting to learn more about local flooding. Explore NSW SES Local Flood Insights to make informed decisions about flood safety and preparedness.

Select a river catchment below to view the Local Flood Insight for each corresponding catchment area. To see all catchment areas, visit the Local Flood Insights page.

Local SES units

Cessnock City Unit

Col Turnbull Parade , Pokolbin, NSW 2320

Latest News

Media release
News
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is advising residents to monitor conditions in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley, as forecast rain may lead to river level rises.
Media release
News
Severe thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon and evening impacted many areas including Sydney, the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains districts.
Media release
News
NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is warning afternoon storms will continue over the next several hours.