Scared residents warn others to ‘get out fast’ as Blanchetown Caravan Park manager shares overnight inundation

Scared and devastated residents have warned others to “get out, and get out fast” – sharing the unbelievable amount of water that inundated their Blanchetown property overnight.

As devastating floodwaters encroach on Riverland communities, an emotional caravan park owner has issued a dire warning after losing her entire property in just one night.

Blanchetown Caravan Park manager Cassie Powell pleaded for others to take action now, after battling the “scariest time of their lives” at the weekend against rapidly rising water levels.

In a heartbreaking video shared to Facebook, Ms Powell said nothing had survived the “unbelievable amount of water” that rose overnight.

“I can’t express how dangerous this was, it just happened so fast. To anybody out there on the river, if you think you have another day, you more than likely don’t,” she said.

“We thought we had another day, but unfortunately when the water broke the bank down where the Murray Princess docks, the water was spewing into the backwaters like a big Niagara Falls.”

Blanchetown Caravan Park owner Adam exhausted after working in a futile effort to battle rising waters. Picture: Blanchetown Caravan Park/Facebook

“In all my life, I don’t think I have ever experienced something so scary and devastating.”

Showing the extend of the inundation, Ms Powell urged residents to take action now – as flows across the border hit 180GL a day, forecast to soon hit 190GL a day and rising to 220GL a day by late December.

“Don’t think how we thought. Get out and get out fast, because this is some angry water,” Ms Powell said.

In another post, Ms Powell described the aftermath of the fast-moving inundation “like a water tsunami” had hit the park.

“The amount of damage is unbelievable,” she said.

Rising waters reached Swan Reach over the weekend, with the caravan park and main road now underwater and roads to ferries completely cut off.

Flooding in Swan Reach on 11/12/22. Picture: Britta Zobel

Flooding in Swan Reach on 11/12/22. Picture: Britta Zobel

Police have issued a stern warning to boat and jetski users as waters rise, with three separate vessels stopped over the weekend and found without life jackets or appropriate safety equipment.

SA Police said one boat’s fire extinguisher was so old it fell apart in an officer’s hands.

The local community and visitors have been urged to use “extreme caution” on the water with fast water flows, floating logs, snags and snakes posing a threat along the river.

Latest forecasts predict the water level at Lock 5 near Renmark is forecast to hit about 18.8m if flows reach 200GL/day.

The SES has started work on the final flood barriers to protect against maximum water flows, with more than 1.5km of DefenCell technology to be erected in Loxton and Berri.

The product – sourced from India and Italy – can be deployed faster than traditional sandbags and used to protect larger areas.

Over the weekend, a large DefenCell wall was completed in the main street of Mannum – with more than 4km of protective barriers now completed in Murray Bridge, Mannum and Lake Bonney.

SES chief of staff Derren Halleday said authorities expected to complete all flood mitigation works before the water peak hit.

“SASES personnel, in collaboration with a range of government agencies, private contractors and volunteers, have been working tirelessly over the past weeks to ensure the DefenCell, earthen levees and sandbag walls are in place to assist in mitigating the flood impact to communities,” Mr Halleday said.

The Berri levee will start at the Riverview Drive end of Clarke Road and follow the riverfront to Crawford Terrace, with the council urging residents to take heed of rolling road closures.

More than 5000 properties at risk of flooding have been doorknocked, with about 1100 still occupied – of those, 647 intend to remain once flooding starts.

People were warned those intending to stay run the risk of debris, poor water quality and raw sewage problems.

As authorities admit they are unsure just how much water is coming down the river, SES chief executive Chris Beattie said emergency services were bracing for “inevitable” levee failures.

The SES was forced to evacuate Riverbend Caravan Park last Wednesday night, after a number of defects were found in the property’s private levee.

Emergency crews responded to another levee breach in the vicinity of Plush Bend Rd and Crescent St, south of Renmark, on Tuesday, with one resident ordered to evacuate.