The Sydney floods of 5th and 6th August, 1986 caused severe stress to many families and businesses in Sydney. The warning and emergency services did not function as well as had been planned, and many residents were caught by surprise. The total tangible damages to the community were in excess of ten million dollars. The floods provided a good opportunity to study the losses that could be expected in a flood, and Environmental Management, in association with the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies (CRES), of the Australian National University were commissioned by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Department of Water Resources (DWR) to examine:

• the economic and social losses resulting from the flood,
• the efficacy of the flood warning procedures;
• the consequences for floods of greater magnitude.

The analysis presented in this report is based on very large data base. The data base, especially the computer listing of all buildings liable to the 1% flood, is available for further usage and is itself an important resource. The survey and many interviews and with those effected by the flood (householders, the business community and a range of state and local government officials) provide lessons for urban floodplain management in Sydney and elsewhere.