Climate Risk in Cooma, NSW

Cooma, New South Wales· Snowy Monaro Regional· 2630
Updated May 2026

Cooma faces moderate climate risks, primarily from flooding and bushfires. Increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are expected to exacerbate these risks in the future. Residents should prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.

Is Cooma Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Cooma, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$49 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$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections

Not ready to check your address? See a free sample report →

Overall Risk Score

Address-level

Hazard Breakdown

Flood, bushfire, heat, coastal and storm exposure are all assessed in this area. The score that matters is the property's own: a ClimateNest report scores the address across eight hazards, with insurance and value projections to 2050.

Climate Hazard Breakdown for Cooma

Flood

Cooma faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its location near the Cooma Creek and other waterways. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development

Bushfire

Cooma has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Cooma experiences moderate heat risk. While not as extreme as other regions, increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves pose a threat to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased average temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves

Coastal

Cooma is located inland and does not face any direct coastal risks.

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Cooma

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Cooma experiences moderate heat risk. While not as extreme as other regions, increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves pose a threat to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased average temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves
  • ·Climate change
Data source

flood Risk

Cooma faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its location near the Cooma Creek and other waterways. Increased rainfall intensity could exacerbate this risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Urban development
  • ·Climate change
Data source

coastal Risk

Cooma is located inland and does not face any direct coastal risks.

Data source

bushfire Risk

Cooma has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland. Drier conditions and higher temperatures are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions
  • ·Fuel load
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to flood and bushfire risks.

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas may experience price fluctuations.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire prone areas.
  • 2.Assess property's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
  • 3.Consider insurance costs and coverage.
  • 4.Review emergency management plans.

How the region's climate is projected to change

Regional projections, not a forecast for this street. Figures are from the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's climate projections for the South Western Flatlands region, which draws on CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology modelling.

Temperature

+0.5 to 1.1°C by 2030

Above the 1986–2005 climate, on all emissions scenarios. By 2090, 1.2 to 2.0°C under intermediate emissions or 2.6 to 4.0°C under high emissions.

Rainfall

Winter rain down up to 15% by 2030

The South West has been drying since 1970, and the decline has been larger than anywhere else in Australia. Heavy rainfall events are projected to become more intense even as totals fall.

Fire weather

Harsher, magnitude uncertain

High confidence that fire weather becomes harsher, low confidence in the size of the change, because it depends heavily on summer rainfall.

Sea level

+0.12 m by 2030

At the Fremantle gauge, range 0.07 to 0.16 m. Very high confidence that sea levels continue to rise through the century.

Source: Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (WA), Western Australian climate projections: summary, September 2021, South Western Flatlands chapter. Read the projections →

Adaptation Recommendations

Upgrade stormwater infrastructure

Near-term

Invest in upgrading stormwater drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Implement bushfire management strategies

Immediate

Develop and implement comprehensive bushfire management plans, including fuel reduction, community education, and evacuation planning.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop heatwave response plan

Near-term

Create a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations, including establishing cooling centers and providing public health advice.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Promote water conservation

Long-term

Encourage water conservation measures to reduce water stress during periods of drought and heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Community awareness programs

Immediate

Run community workshops and distribute information on how to prepare for and respond to climate-related hazards.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Cooma's Climate Risk Profile

Cooma, located in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales, is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The primary risks are associated with flooding and bushfires, both of which are projected to worsen in the coming decades.

Flooding is a concern due to Cooma's proximity to Cooma Creek and other waterways. Increased rainfall intensity, driven by climate change, could lead to more frequent and severe flooding events, impacting homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Effective stormwater management and flood mitigation strategies are crucial.

Bushfire risk is also significant, given the surrounding bushland. Hotter, drier conditions are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires, posing a threat to life and property. Residents need to be prepared and aware of bushfire safety measures.

While heat risk is relatively lower compared to other regions, increasing average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves can still impact vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Public health initiatives and cooling strategies are important.

Overall, Cooma needs to proactively adapt to the changing climate to protect its community and environment. This includes investing in infrastructure upgrades, implementing effective emergency management plans, and promoting climate-smart practices.

Suburb pages describe the local picture. The address-level assessment, with its data sources and its dollar projections, is in the ClimateNest report.

Local Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main climate change risks in Cooma?

The main climate change risks in Cooma are flooding, bushfires, and heatwaves. These risks are expected to increase in the future due to changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures.

How can I prepare my home for a bushfire in Cooma?

You can prepare your home for a bushfire by clearing vegetation around your property, maintaining your roof and gutters, and having a bushfire survival plan.

What should I do during a flood in Cooma?

During a flood, you should avoid driving or walking through floodwaters, move to higher ground, and follow the advice of emergency services.

How can I stay cool during a heatwave in Cooma?

During a heatwave, you should stay indoors in air-conditioned environments, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous activities.

Where can I find more information about climate change in Cooma?

You can find more information about climate change in Cooma on the Snowy Monaro Regional Council website, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website, and the Bureau of Meteorology website.

Is Cooma likely to experience more droughts in the future?

Climate projections suggest that the region around Cooma may experience more frequent and intense droughts in the future. This could impact water availability for agriculture and residential use.

Get your property's risk report

This suburb assessment covers the area. For a precise address-level climate risk report for any specific property in Cooma, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

Check Cooma's specific flood risk and see how it compares to nearby suburbs. Enter your address for an instant risk assessment.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$49 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$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections

Climate Risk in Cooma, NSW | ClimateNest