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.
Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment
This local government area is part of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment area.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley covers a wide area in Western Sydney from Bents Basin near Wallacia to the Brooklyn Bridge. The area has a long history of dangerous and deep flooding.
The unique geography in the valley affects the extent and depth of flooding in the region. Most river valleys tend to widen as they approach the sea. The opposite is the case in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, which means floodwaters flow into the valley more quickly than they can flow out, causing them to back up and rise rapidly.
If you live or work in an area with risk of flood, your home, family and animals may be vulnerable. It's important to always be prepared for floods in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley as floods can happen anytime. Use the interactive flood mapping tool which allows you to check your flood risk and provide information at a suburb level. For more detailed information on risk related to your property or street, please contact your local council.
Check your flood risk in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley area
More information and planning resources can be found by visiting our Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley information page.
Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley area
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