Climate Risk in Capel, WA

Capel, Western Australia
Updated Apr 2026

Capel faces moderate risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, potentially impacting property values and community well-being. Residents should take steps to prepare for these challenges.

Is Capel Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Capel, Western Australia, 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

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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 Capel

Flood

Capel faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, potentially exacerbating flood events.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

Capel has a high bushfire risk due to the surrounding bushland. Hot, dry summers and strong winds contribute to the potential for bushfires. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Drier vegetation

Heat

Capel is experiencing an increase in the number of hot days and heatwaves. Climate change is expected to further increase average temperatures, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Key drivers:

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves

Coastal

Capel faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards due to sea level rise and storm surges. Coastal erosion and inundation could impact infrastructure and properties near the coast.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm surge intensity

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Capel

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Capel is experiencing an increase in the number of hot days and heatwaves. Climate change is expected to further increase average temperatures, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Rising average temperatures
  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Urban heat island effect
Data source

flood Risk

Capel faces a moderate risk of flooding due to its proximity to waterways and low-lying areas. Climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensity, potentially exacerbating flood events.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Inadequate drainage infrastructure
Data source

coastal Risk

Capel faces a moderate risk from coastal hazards due to sea level rise and storm surges. Coastal erosion and inundation could impact infrastructure and properties near the coast.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Increased storm surge intensity
  • ·Coastal erosion
Data source

bushfire Risk

Capel has a high bushfire risk due to the surrounding bushland. Hot, dry summers and strong winds contribute to the potential for bushfires. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased frequency of heatwaves
  • ·Drier vegetation
  • ·Stronger winds
Data source

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase due to climate-related risks.

Price Impact

Properties in high-risk areas may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire-prone area designations.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to heatwaves.
  • 3.Consider the potential impacts of sea level rise.
  • 4.Review insurance options and costs.

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

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems to handle increased rainfall intensity and reduce flood risk.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Bushfire Mitigation Measures

Immediate

Implement bushfire mitigation measures such as controlled burns, vegetation management, and community education programs.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Heatwave Preparedness Plan

Near-term

Develop and implement a heatwave preparedness plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Coastal Protection Measures

Long-term

Implement coastal protection measures such as seawalls, dune restoration, and managed retreat to address sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Est. cost: Very High

Learn more

Community Awareness Programs

Near-term

Educate the community about climate change risks and adaptation strategies.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

About Capel's Climate Risk Profile

Capel, Western Australia, is a region that is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The area faces a combination of threats, including increased flooding, more frequent and intense bushfires, rising temperatures, and coastal hazards.

Flooding is a significant concern for Capel, particularly in low-lying areas near waterways. Climate change is projected to increase rainfall intensity, leading to more frequent and severe flood events. This can damage property, disrupt infrastructure, and pose risks to human safety.

Bushfires are another major threat to Capel. The surrounding bushland creates a high risk of bushfires, especially during the hot, dry summer months. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfire weather, making it even more challenging to manage and control bushfires.

Rising temperatures and heatwaves are also becoming more common in Capel. Climate change is driving up average temperatures, leading to more hot days and heatwaves. This can have significant impacts on human health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

Finally, Capel faces risks from coastal hazards such as sea level rise and storm surges. These hazards can lead to coastal erosion, inundation of low-lying areas, and damage to infrastructure and properties near the coast. Addressing these climate risks requires a coordinated effort from government, businesses, and individuals.

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 facing Capel?

Capel faces risks from flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards, all of which are expected to be exacerbated by climate change.

How is the Shire of Capel addressing climate change?

The Shire of Capel is developing and implementing strategies to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, including improving drainage infrastructure and promoting bushfire preparedness.

What can residents do to prepare for climate change impacts?

Residents can take steps to prepare for climate change impacts by checking flood maps, clearing vegetation around their homes, and developing a heatwave preparedness plan.

Where can I find more information about climate change risks in Capel?

You can find more information about climate change risks in Capel on the Shire of Capel website, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website, and the Bureau of Meteorology website.

Are insurance premiums likely to increase in Capel due to climate change?

Yes, insurance premiums may increase in Capel due to the increased risk of flooding, bushfires, and other climate-related hazards.

How will sea level rise affect Capel?

Sea level rise is expected to exacerbate coastal erosion and inundation in low-lying coastal areas of Capel, potentially impacting properties and infrastructure.

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 Capel, use our analysis tool.

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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