Georges River Flood Extent Map
Please use the map below to see how your location (home, business or somewhere you visit) may be affected by possible flooding on the Georges River.
The above map is specific to the possible highest riverine flood risk on the Georges River only. Data from Flood Studies conducted by Local Councils have been used to create the flood extent shown on the map.
Every flood is different. The extent depicted on this map is an indication of the highest possible flood that could occur on the Georges River. Smaller floods on the Georges River will happen more frequently. It is important to be ready for floods as they can happen at any time of the year.
There are other flood impacts in this area, from other rivers, creeks and tributaries and from localised heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Further flood studies and modelling needs to occur for more detailed information to be included.
Historical flood data exists for localised areas of the Georges River and data from Local Flood Studies also exist. Work is currently being done to develop flood data. As flood data is updated and made publicly available for this area, the NSW SES will update this map.
It is important to know if you are impacted by floods or if roads and areas you travel to are impacted, so that you can prepare for what you will do in future floods.
You can search for addresses and places within the Local Government Areas (LGAs) impacted by floods on the Georges River. For property-level flood information, please contact your Local Council. (See Georges River Councils below).
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of compilation (2021). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date. NSW State Emergency Service takes no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of any information in the map (including, without limitation, any of the information provided by third parties) nor for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of links or references to information sources with regard to the map. While all reasonable care has been taken in the compilation, to the extent permitted by law, NSW State Emergency Service and the State of New South Wales and its employees and agents exclude all liability for the accuracy or completeness of the information, or for any injury, loss, or damage whatsoever (including without limitation liability for negligence and consequential losses) suffered by any person acting, or purporting to act in reliance upon anything contained herein.
The Georges River has a long history of flooding. Not all of the historical floods on the Georges River have been the same. In fact, even though flood extents can be modelled, floods can be different every time. On the Georges River, flooding does not occur in any form of sequence as flooding can happen quickly and at the same time across different locations along the river.
Even higher floods than what has happened before can occur, impacting many residents, businesses and travellers to the area.
The main floodplain for the Georges River is between Glenfield and East Hills in Liverpool, Fairfield and Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Areas. There are different influences across the Georges River catchment in these areas. Flooding is fairly unique on the Georges River as the lower reaches of the river (from East Hills downstream) is confined to a narrow gorge which acts as a restriction during large floods. A further small gorge towards the outlet of the river creates additional adverse effects on flooding, as water cannot disperse quickly. Effects from these gorges results in a wide variety of flood inundation heights, depths and flow speeds across different locations along the river and in flood impacted areas. The only outlet for floodwater on the Georges River is through Botany Bay.
Different weather systems can cause flooding on the Georges River, including what is known as an East Coast Low. East Coast Lows can deliver heavy rainfall across the catchment area, causing overland flow, flash flooding and waterways to break their banks, including for the Georges River and other creeks and tributaries which flow into the River. The extent of flooding is influenced by the intensity and/or duration of this rainfall. Tidal levels can also contribute to the extent of flooding along parts of the Georges River.
This is why it is important to be aware of flooding in areas you live, work and visit.
The Georges River has several major tributaries that influence flood behaviour in the valley, including:
Local Councils do flood studies to determine the risks and the NSW SES write Flood Plans based on these studies. There is currently work being done to combine these pieces of work and create a catchment wide Flood Plan for the Georges River.
The Georges River has flooded before. It will happen again.
Visit the Georges Riverkeeper website for more information on floods on the Georges River.
The Georges River has a long history of flooding.
During the late 1800’s, records indicate significantly large events which caused great concern within the area. This saw the community within the floodplain experience a large number of minor, moderate and major flood events including a flood with a 1% chance happening every year (1 in 100-year flood event), which was recorded in 1873. This flood saw water heights rise above 10 metres with homes reported to have been washed away in the current.
Smaller recorded flood events occurred during the early 1800’s.
The largest flood on record over the last 100 years was the 1956 flood, when over 300 mm of rain fell across three days in the Georges River catchment. This resulted in the flooding of 1,000 homes and the evacuation of 8,000 people. Reports describe people being rescued from rooftops of homes, climbing there because of the rapidly rising floodwater. This flood is relatively small compared to other historical floods that have occurred.
Other large floods have been recorded during the 1900’s particularly in 1986, when over 320 mm of rain fell in a 24 hour period (the usual annual rainfall in the area is roughly in the vicinity of 870mm). This resulted in 6 deaths and 10,000 homes being damaged.
Larger floods are possible on the Georges River. It is not a question of if, but when these will happen.
Visit the Georges Riverkeeper website for more information on floods on the Georges River.
Every flood is different and floods can change quickly.
Even the terms and language used to talk about, plan for and deal with floods can seem strange. There is an explanation of some of the terms used at the bottom of this page.
Floods are a natural occurrence in the Australian landscape. They are necessary for the health of our river ecosystems. Many of our farmlands have rich and fertile soil because of the flooding that happens in Australia. It is when the environments we build intersect with this natural occurrence, that we can find disasters which impact on our lives and livelihoods.
Knowing the flood potential of where you live, work and visit in Australia is important to keep yourself, your family and others safe during floods.
Visit the NSW SES Flood pages for more information on floods. These pages contain information on:
Flash Flood: Flooding which is rapid and often unexpected because it is caused by sudden local or nearby heavy rainfall.
Flood: Relatively high water level which overtops the natural or artificial banks in any part of a stream, river, estuary, lake or dam.
Overland Flow: Overland flow happens when a lot of rain and water runs across the land. These are natural paths that water likes to flow along and into stormwater drains or local creeks after running off neighbouring properties and driveways or rising from the ground.
Hear from local NSW SES volunteers and community members about the flood risks on the Georges River and how to prepare your home and business.
Meet Michael, a Local NSW SES Deputy Unit Commander. Flooding on the Georges River will happen again. That’s a Fact. Residents and businesses along the Georges River need to know their flood risk. Find out more about your local risk.
Visit the NSW SES Georges River Flood Map.
Meet Washington and Nancy, local NSW SES unit members. Residents and businesses along the Georges River need to know their flood risk and have a plan. Just a little preparation can save lives. Take your first step to get prepared.
Find out more on how to best prepare by visiting the Things you can do Before a Flood webpage
Meet Hiendat, a local NSW SES unit member. The Georges River has a long history of flooding. Residents and businesses need to know how to stay informed and when to act. Flooding will happen again. That’s a fact.
Visit the NSW SES Be Aware webpage to know the warning signs of floods and when to act.
Meet Criss, a local community member from southwest Sydney. All communities living and working along the Georges River, need to know their flood risk. This can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. Find out about your flood risk and how to share this in your language.
Language resources are available on the NSW SES In Your Language webpage.
Meet Jenny, a local business owner in southwest Sydney. Businesses can take simple steps to get prepared and have a plan. The Georges River will flood again. That’s a fact. Find out more on how a little preparation can protect your business and livelihood.
Prepare a Business Emergency Plan by visiting: http://www.sesemergencyplan.com.au/
Meet Annie, a local resident living on the Georges River. Floods on the Georges River can happen quickly. Know the warning signs for floods and act early to keep you and your family safe. The Georges River will flood again. That’s a fact. Find out more on how to prepare your home for flooding.
Prepare a Home Emergency Plan by visiting: http://www.sesemergencyplan.com.au/
The NSW SES Georges River Disaster Awareness Survey is part of a broader awareness campaign about natural disasters and the risks you may face in your area.
The surveys have closed and a report on the results will be available in late 2021.
The surveys targeted people who live and work in the Local Government Areas (LGA) of Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Georges River, Fairfield, Bayside, Liverpool and Sutherland.
More community surveys may be developed for future campaign and community engagement work, so keep an eye out for these if you live and work in these areas.
The NSW SES Privacy Statement is available in relation to participating in surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) are also available on the surveys.
If you live, work or visit flood prone areas in the Georges River area, there are steps you can take to prepare for floods.
If your area is at risk, go to high ground away from flooded areas.
The major cause of death during floods is from people entering or travelling through floodwater. This includes driving, riding and walking through floodwater and children playing in floodwater.
Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
Download the During a Flood Fact sheet (2.2 MB)
When a Prepare to Evacuate - Watch and Act is issued, you should prepare to evacuate. Staying inside a house, even one which you think is high enough, may be very dangerous. If you are warned to evacuate it is always safest to move to a location away from the flood affected area before floodwater arrives.
When an Evacuate Now - Emergency Warning is issued and you leave your house:
For information on roads, contact your local council for local road closures and Live Traffic NSW for major road closures.
The NSW SES will issue a 'Reduced Threat: Return with Caution' when it is safe for residents and businesses to return to a flood affected area previously subject to an 'Evacuate Now - Emergency Warning'.
The NSW SES has prepared a Recovery Guide to assist you to take the next steps towards recovery following a disaster.
The transition to recovery can involve many personal considerations including but not limited to:
At a community level, recovery often involves:
In NSW, recovery from major disasters is managed by a wide range of organisations, including members of the State and Local Recovery Committees outlined in the NSW Recovery Plan.
There are also a number of Disaster Assistance Schemes that can help you get back on your feet following a disaster.
The NSW Government Disaster Assistance Guidelines also help inform the community, business, government, emergency services, councils, functional areas and those working in disaster recovery of the assistance available.
Disaster Recovery Centres may be established following some disasters.
Recovery Centres may provide a range of welfare services, including financial assistance, personal support, organising temporary accommodation and providing information and referrals. If you have been affected by floods and require assistance, contact Disaster Welfare Services on 1800 018 444.
The Georges River is a beautiful part of the Sydney landscape and provides many opportunities for the community to relax, recreate and enjoy the natural environments the river provides. Like all rivers in Australia, the Georges River has a history of flooding. Flooding is a natural and healthy part of the Georges River and helps maintain the ecosystems around the river. Often, flooding can impact the communities who live, work and visit these locations. It is important to be aware of floods on the Georges River and how they can impact these communities.
We often talk about the Georges River catchment. A catchment is a land area where water is collected that feeds into a river. The catchment area for the Georges River is large, covering a landmass of approximately 1,000 square kilometres. Sometimes these catchment areas may not seem close to a river, but rainfall that occurs in these areas can feed into the flood effects of that river. Many people are not aware that they live in a catchment and that these areas are also impacted by floods directly or indirectly.
The Georges River itself is situated in Sydney's south and is approximately 100 kilometres long. The river flows through Liverpool, Chipping Norton Lake Scheme and then flows east through Bankstown and out to Botany Bay. This includes along the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bayside, Canterbury-Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Sutherland and Wollondilly.
The Georges River is one of the most populated catchments in Australia, with approximately a quarter of Sydney’s inhabitants located here. There is a rich diversity of community, business and recreation areas in this location, attracting many people from outside the area. It is also known as one of the most severely flood prone areas in NSW.
It is important to be aware of and understand the flood risks in this area. It is also important to know what to do when the Georges River does flood.
These pages can help you understand the risk and give you information on what to do before, during and after floods. There are also resources and further information for you to explore.
For a more detailed explanation on how the Georges River was formed, visit the Georges Riverkeeper website - What shaped the Georges River?
NSW SES has flood and storm information translated into a range of different languages.
Image source: Bewsher Consulting, 2004
Image source: Bewsher Consulting, 2004
Image source: Bewsher Consulting, 2004
Image source: Bewsher Consulting, 2004
Image source: Bewsher Consulting, 2004
Image source: Bewsher Consulting, 2004
Image Source: Mark Evans, 2015
Flood images are sourced from internal NSW SES resources or from the publicly available images.
If you have a flood image of the Georges River and would like to share this with the NSW SES, please provide feedback through the tab on the home page and click the lightbulb icon and 'Make a suggestion':
Here you can find links to a range of other resources and information from the NSW SES.
Flood safety and awareness
Schools resources for Teachers, and materials for Primary and Secondary students.
The NSW Flood Data Access Program is a joint partnership between the NSW State Emergency Service and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. The program aims to improve the sharing of key flood data within government and to other stakeholders, so that this information is more broadly available to be considered in decision making.
The Georges River flows through a range of Local Councils in Sydney.
Other neighbouring council areas do experience flooding either from localised heavy rainfall or from creeks and other waterways that flow into the Georges River. This webpage is focused only on floods in the Georges River. Further flood information on these other areas of flooding will be gradually added to the NSW SES website.
Local Councils conduct Flood Studies on the impacts of floodwater and may have specific height data for residents and businesses.
Search the below Council websites for more information on floods.
