Flooding and defences
How does the City of Melbourne mitigate the three major kinds of flooding?
Melbourne has always been a water city, with low lying areas prone to flooding.
As Melbourne grows, dealing with the impacts of climate change and safeguarding our city against potential flooding is integral to ensuring a sustainable future.
Coastal flooding
Flooding from storm surges can come from the sea and overtake susceptible low-lying areas. Sea water can be pushed up into rivers and creeks.
Key defences: non-return valves on stormwater drains, flood gates, levies and tidal barrages.
![Infographic illustrating characteristics, implications and key defences of coastal / storm surge flooding](https://urbanwater.melbourne.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/coastal-flooding-infographic-698x987.jpg)
Rainfall flooding
Rainfall, or pluvial flooding, is localised rainfall that causes flash flooding due to the local drainage system being inundated.
Key defences: pits and pipes, pumps, local storage areas, rainwater tanks.
![Infographic illustrating characteristics, implications and key defences of rainfall or pluvial flooding](https://urbanwater.melbourne.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/rainfall-flooding-infographic-698x987.jpg)
River flooding
River flooding, or fluvial flooding, is when rivers and creeks burst their banks, and surge in flood plains around river and creeks.
Key defences: non-return valves on stormwater drains, flood gates, retarding basins.
![Infographic illustrating characteristics, implications and key defences of river or fluvial flooding](https://urbanwater.melbourne.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/river-flooding-infographic-698x987.jpg)
Find out more
Water and climate change
What are the impacts of climate change to our city?
- Water and climate change