Latest flood forecasts suggest reason for optimism as Renmark flood peak nears

Renmark floodwaters are expected to peak in the next 48 to 72 hours, but should fall “well short” of the 1956 record and towards the lower end of recent forecasts.

River Murray floodwaters are now expected to peak “closer” to 190GL/day, “well short” of the 1956 flood peak, Premier Peter Malinauskas says.

He gave the update following a meeting of the state government’s Emergency Management Council on Saturday morning.

Mr Malinauskas said there was a “growing degree of confidence that it (the peak) will be far closer to the 190GL/day level” rather than the potential high of 220GL/day which had been forecast.

However, he cautioned the forecasts were still “variable”.

“It still does mean a substantial body of water at a level that we haven’t seen in our state for a long time indeed,” he said.

He said the peak in Renmark was expected in the next 48 to 72 hours.

“The 1931 flood levels are expected at Renmark, or just above that, so we’re well short of that 1956 peak,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“That will provide a lot of relief to those communities that have a familiarity with where those peak levels flowed.”

River Murray flooding above Renmark. Picture: Steve Turner

Water levels are now expected to peak in Mannum between January 7 and 10.

So far six of 11 ferry crossings have closed and another two – at Tailem Bend and Wellington – could close before the end of December, Mr Malinauskas said.

When ferries re-open he suggested the Lyrup crossing would be the first to begin operating “but that is still some weeks away”.

A ban on non-essential aquatic activities on the river remains in place but Mr Malinauskas pledged to reassess it “as soon as we can and it is safe to do so”, likely in another week.

Mr Malinauskas said the state was in “active discussions” with the Federal Government about financial support “principally around recovery” after the floodwaters begin to recede.

He expected these to be finalised “in the next week or two”.

“We won’t really know the true depth of the recovery cost until those waters start to recede and we start to see the damage that is done,” he said.

“The peak has to get down through the entirety of the system. It’s only just really crossed the

border. So we’ve got a bit to get through yet.”

Gallery: Dramatic flood photos as threat rises

VIEW GALLERY

Latest estimates show the high water is expected to subside to 150GL/day by mid-January and down to 100GL/day into February.

More than 1100 Riverland properties have been inundated so far, with that figure expected to rise to 4000 when peak flows arrive.

The state government has booked 25,000 emergency accommodation beds in preparation for more evacuations but only about 500 have been used so far.

An estimated 225 businesses and 4000 hectares of agricultural production are expected to be impacted by flood waters by the end of December.

The SES has said 14 active warnings were currently in place for flood-affected regions, in addition to 3260 properties disconnected by SA Power Networks.

That number is expected to rise to about 4000 when flood peaks hit.

The true spirit of Christmas

John Clitzen is giving up his Christmas to help Riverland residents in need as peak flows reach the South Australian border.

In a post shared to Facebook on Saturday, Mr Clitzen said he will be providing sandbags in Glossop from 9am to 3pm, including on December 25th.

“Don’t be shy, if you need them come get them,” the post read.

“We’re giving up being with our family on Christmas Day so you can protect your homes.”

John Clitzen will be giving up his Christmas Day to hand out sandbags to Riverland residents in need. Picture: Facebook

John Clitzen will be giving up his Christmas Day to hand out sandbags to those in need in the Riverland. Picture: Facebook

Mr Clitzen will be joined by 50 SES volunteers and staff who will be working on Christmas Day as part of the ongoing response to the flood emergency.

An SES spokesperson said the workers will be available at all hours to respond to any requests in the community.

Relief centres at Berri and Mannum have fielded almost 1500 inquiries and another centre is due to open in Murray Bridge on January 5.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs praised volunteers and workers “continuing to give of themselves” to help those affected during “an extraordinarily different Christmas for our Riverland and river communities”.

“Most of these communities would not have expected this to be the Christmas they were facing,” he said.

Peak water flows have reached the SA border. Picture: SA SES

Communities along the upper and lower River Murray have been warned to prepare for flooding. SA SES

On Friday evening, the SA SES confirmed peak water flows have now reached the South Australian border.

The alert warned these higher levels have raised the River Murray to Major Flood and the river will remain at these high levels for some weeks.

SA SES chief officer Chris Beattie said residents should consider evacuating.

“Regardless of your property’s ability to withstand flood impacts, there is a chance you may become flooded or isolated,” he said.

“If you remain in the area you may become trapped without water, power and other essential services,” he said.

“If the situation worsens it may not be safe to go or your roads may be under water … it may be dangerous for emergency services to assist you.”

Residents are being advised to use local knowledge to assess personal risk and stay aware of surroundings.