Climate Risk in Harvey, Western Australia

Harvey, Western Australia
Updated Apr 2026

Harvey faces several climate-related risks, including flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, posing challenges for the community and local economy. Residents should prepare for more extreme weather events and take steps to adapt to the changing climate.

Is Harvey Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Harvey, 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 Harvey

Flood

Harvey is located near the Harvey River and coastal areas, making it susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise

Bushfire

The outskirts of Harvey have some bushland, posing a moderate bushfire risk. Drier conditions and higher temperatures due to climate change are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·Drier conditions

Heat

Harvey experiences hot summers, and climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Key drivers:

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves

Coastal

Harvey is located near the coast and is exposed to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, threatening coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

Key drivers:

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Coastal erosion

Wind

Data being compiled

Storm

Data being compiled

Social

Data being compiled

Energy

Data being compiled

In-Depth Climate Risk Guides for Harvey

Detailed Hazard Analysis

heat Risk

Harvey experiences hot summers, and climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. This poses a risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased temperatures
  • ·More frequent heatwaves
Data source

flood Risk

Harvey is located near the Harvey River and coastal areas, making it susceptible to flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surges. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Increased rainfall intensity
  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Storm surges
Data source

coastal Risk

Harvey is located near the coast and is exposed to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, threatening coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

Primary Drivers

  • ·Sea level rise
  • ·Coastal erosion
  • ·Storm surges
Data source

bushfire Risk

The outskirts of Harvey have some bushland, posing a moderate bushfire risk. Drier conditions and higher temperatures due to climate change are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

Primary Drivers

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

What This Means for Property Owners

Insurance Outlook

Insurance premiums may increase in areas at high risk of flooding or bushfire.

Price Impact

Properties in areas at high risk of climate-related hazards may experience a decrease in value.

Buyer Checklist

  • 1.Check flood maps and bushfire-prone area designations.
  • 2.Assess the property's vulnerability to climate-related hazards.
  • 3.Consider the potential impact of climate change on insurance premiums and property values.

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 Flood Defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to reduce flood risk, such as levees, drainage improvements, and flood-proofing of buildings.

Est. cost: High

Learn more

Strengthen Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement bushfire mitigation measures, such as clearing vegetation around homes, creating firebreaks, and developing community evacuation plans.

Est. cost: Medium

Learn more

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Near-term

Create a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. This includes establishing cooling centers and providing information on how to stay safe during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Learn more

Plan for Coastal Adaptation

Long-term

Develop strategies to adapt to sea level rise and coastal erosion, such as building seawalls, relocating infrastructure, and restoring coastal ecosystems.

Est. cost: Very High

Learn more

About Harvey's Climate Risk Profile

Harvey is a town located in the South West region of Western Australia. The town is situated near the Harvey River and the coast, making it vulnerable to flooding and coastal hazards. The surrounding area includes bushland, which poses a bushfire risk.

Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region. This includes more frequent and intense heatwaves, heavier rainfall events, and rising sea levels. These changes will exacerbate the existing climate-related risks facing Harvey.

Flooding is a significant concern for Harvey, as the town has experienced several major flood events in the past. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall events, leading to more frequent and severe flooding. Coastal erosion and inundation are also threats, particularly in low-lying areas along the coast.

Bushfires are another major risk for Harvey, especially during the dry summer months. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires, posing a threat to homes, businesses, and the natural environment. Heatwaves are also becoming more common and intense, which can lead to heat stress and other health problems.

Adapting to climate change will require a coordinated effort from the community, local government, and state government. This includes investing in infrastructure to reduce flood risk, implementing bushfire mitigation measures, and developing strategies to protect vulnerable populations from heatwaves. It also involves promoting sustainable land use practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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 Harvey?

Harvey faces several climate change risks, including flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, and coastal hazards. These risks are expected to increase in the future due to climate change.

How is the local council preparing for climate change?

The Shire of Harvey is developing strategies to adapt to climate change, such as investing in flood mitigation infrastructure and implementing bushfire mitigation measures.

What can I do to protect my home from bushfires?

You can protect your home from bushfires by clearing vegetation around your home, creating firebreaks, and developing a bushfire survival plan.

How can I stay safe during a heatwave?

During a heatwave, it is important to stay hydrated, stay cool, and avoid strenuous activity. Check on vulnerable neighbors and friends.

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

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

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 Harvey, use our analysis tool.

Check Your flood Risk Now

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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