Heavy rain for Peterborough causes flash flooding

Parts of South Australia have experienced heavy rainfall – but none quite like Peterborough, which copped more than 25mm. See the extraordinary footage.

Wild weather has lashed the state with a few towns feeling the full force, as Peterborough reported heavy rains topping more than 25mm.

Dramatic footage of the mid-north town shows the devastation heavy rain had caused, with muddy water swirling at ankle height.

BOM Meteorologists Mark Anolak said it was caused by one of the thunderstorms that hit the state.

“There were several thunderstorms across the state yesterday (Monday), one of which moved over the Peterborough area and it was conducive to delivering very heavy showers for a brief period of time which could lead to flash flooding,” he said.

Rivers of mud in Peterborough after more than 25mm of rain. Picture: Zoee Jacqueline Smith

The bureau said the heavy rain was the result of thunderstoms that lashed the state. Picture: Zoee Jacqueline Smith

“In the mid north parts of the state our gauges picked up around 20mm of rainfall but it would be very believable if an individual reported more than 25mm in Peterborough.

Mr Anolak said the reason for Monday’s rainfall was the movement of the trough coming in from the neighbouring state.

“The main reason for these showers and thunderstorms yesterday is because we’ve had some quite humid air moving over the state and a trough of low pressure,” he said.

“The combination of those two things generates yesterday’s intense weather.

Boolcunda Creek in flood crossing Flinders Ranges Way near Willochra. Picture: Charlie Eager

“Today (Tuesday) we still have the same situation but the tough is in a slightly different location … mostly it will be on and east of the Ranges and to the far north of the state.”

However, Mr Anolak said the wild weather should clear up by the end of the day, promising some dry days until the end of the week.

However, the BOM still has a wind warning for Tuesday for the Spencer Gulf and Investigator Strait and for Wednesday in the Spencer Gulf.