Overland Corner Hotel evacuated, Morgan Riverside Caravan Park closes as new warnings issued

Businesses continue to close along the River Murray as the SES issues a flood emergency warning for areas from Renmark to the Murray Mouth.

Businesses continue to close along the River Murray as the SES issues a flood emergency warning for areas from Renmark to Blanchetown as water flow into South Australia reaches about 200 gigalitres a day.

It comes as a flood watch and act alert has been issued for Murrawong on Sunday.

The South Australian State Emergency Services said there was is a risk of flooding for Murrawong – near Mypolonga – due to a potential levee breach which may threaten safety.

The flooding was expected to cause properties to become isolated.

The Overland Corner Hotel and Morgan Riverside Caravan Park are the latest businesses who will temporarily close their doors.

The SES issued a Flood Emergency Warning about 9pm on Friday, advising the Overland Corner Hotel levee is failing.

“There is a risk of flood waters threatening the safety of people in the area. Residents and visitors need to evacuate immediately. The hotel and camp grounds are closed until further notice. You need to evacuate immediately,” the warning said.

The Overland Corner Hotel and Morgan caravan park the latest to be evacuated. Picture: SASES

Another Flood Emergency Warning was issued by the SES on Friday, forecasting that peak water flows remain in the 190GL/day to 220GL/day reaching SA by the end of December.

“Water levels consistent with these flows are already being observed. These higher levels will raise the River Murray to Major Flood level. Communities along the length of the river should prepare for flooding in low lying areas, with a number of Prepare to Evacuate warnings already issued by the SASES,” the warning said.

The warning was issued for the length of the River Murray in SA.

The hotel posted a statement on Facebook that they will close from Saturday December 17, and trading would cease on the evening of December 16, the night of their Christmas dinner.

“For the last 2 months we have worked tirelessly to try and make sure we are safe and can continue to trade. We’ve had surveys, engineers, council, national trust, locals all helping to try and keep us open but, here we are,” the post said.

“We are sad. We opened in February 2021. Just after Covid. It hasn’t been easy but we have loved every minute and we will open again as soon as the boss, our beautiful River Murray, is done doing what it’s meant to do.

“We’ll be back bigger than ever very soon. Please stick with us. We need you now more than ever.”

Duncan Welgemoed, Mark Best, Overland Corner Hotel Manager Brad Flowers at the historic hotel.

The Morgan Riverside Caravan Park also took to social media to announce their closure. The park will be closed from this weekend and will be while the river rises to its peak in early to mid January.

“It is important that everyone knows we are NOT flooding, the team have built us an incredible levee there is no doubt about that! But as waters rise, it’s important that we don’t put anyone at risk not to mention our staff aren’t put under any unnecessary or additional stress,” said a post.

“It was far from an easy decision but we know it’s the right decision.”

The SES have also warned people in low-lying areas between Mypolonga and Tailem Bend — including Murray Bridge — to prepare to evacuate as floodwaters rise.

The flood watch and act message was distributed about 12pm on Friday, warning of a high risk of flooding for low-lying areas between the Murraylands towns due to rapid river level rises that may threaten people’s safety.

Murray Bridge council Mayor Wayne Thorley warned residents not to take the river lightly in the wake of the SES’s warning for resident to prepare to evacuate.

Mayor Thorley implored his community to stay off the river in the name of safety.

“We know a number of shacks and permanent levees near schools are at a significant risk … be aware, be alert, don’t consider the river to be safe even though it might just look fast-following water, it is quite dangerous,” he said.

Mayor Thorley said a positive for the community was the time it has had to prepare for the peak flows and council had acted swiftly to minimise damage.

“As a council we’ve carried out protection measures for assets of council and at the community of Mypolonga we put a 400 metre levee to protect low-lying houses and the school,” he said.

The Mayor – a farmer himself – said consideration had to be given to the impact on agriculture in the region.

“We have a number of farmer on flood plain areas, someone of them we know they will go underwater, so we’ll work with them and government agencies to see how we can help.”

Low-lying areas between Mypolonga to Tailem Bend including Murray Bridge told to prepare to evacuate. Picture: SES SA

The flooded River Murray at Murray Bridge's Sturt Reserve on December 15. Picture: Facebook / Carolyn Nottle

The alert comes as a third flood emergency warning this week with residents in Younghusband, Mannum, Caloote, Pompoota, Mypolonga told to prepare for evacuation on Thursday.

A flood watch and act message was distributed around 2pm and warned there is a high risk of flooding for low lying areas of the area, due to rapid river-level rises.

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

“If you remain in the area you may become trapped without water, power and other essential services. You should now prepare to evacuate.

“If the situation worsens it may not be safe to leave. It may be too dangerous for emergency services to assist you.”

The emergency service advised to follow personal emergency plans, move items of value to a safe place and prepare for evacuation, but to only leave if the path to a safer place is clear.

A similar message was issued for Caurnamont, Purnong and Bowhill on Wednesday evening.

Earlier on Wednesday, an urgent evacuation alert was issued for Walker Flat.

The flooded River Murray at Murray Bridge shacks on December 15. Picture: Facebook/Carolyn Nottle

The flooded River Murray at Murray Bridge on December 15. Picture: Facebook/Carolyn Nottle

It comes after Murray Bridge council moved to can New Year’s Eve celebrations in out of respect for victims of flooding.

The council has cancelled the fireworks launching from the bridge over the Murray and a riverside celebration at Sturt Reserve.

Murray Bridge council chief executive officer Michael Sedgman said the council’s priority during the Christmas and New Year period would be keeping people and property safe.

“Elected members agreed it would be inappropriate for the council to be celebrating by the Murray River at a time when people in the community were impacted and suffering due to inundation,” he said.

Last month, the Murray Bridge council assured locals and visitors the iconic Bunyip attraction would stay protected in its riverfront cave during high flows.

The Bunyip’s hydraulic system is designed to work underwater, however motors and other power related circuitry have been raised to the highest level in the back of the cave to sit above predicted peak levels, the council said.

The Advertiser wishes to acknowledge and apologise for a headline published on this story earlier.

This headline - Overton Corner Hotel, Morgan caravan park told ‘evacuate immediately’ - was incorrect.

While The Overton Corner Hotel and surrounds were issued an alert to ‘evacuate immediately’, the Morgan Riverside Caravan Park made the decision to close of its own accord, for the safety of its staff and the public.