Flood Emergency Warning issued for Lower River Murray, flow passes Berri, Waikerie ferry closes

A warning has been issued for the Lower River Murray as peak water flows arrive at Blanchetown.

A Flood Emergency Warning message has been issued for Lower River Murray as peak water flows arrive at Blanchetown.

The message was issued about 5.00pm on Friday by the State Emergency Service.

Water levels are consistent with the River Murray at major flood, the SES said.

“The flood peak is expected to reach remaining parts of the river progressively over the next week, then remain at or near peak heights for a week. If you live in the warning area, you should now prepare for flooding. Regardless of your property’s ability to withstand flood impacts, there is a chance you may become flooded or isolated. You should consider leaving; if you remain in the area you may become trapped without water, power and other essential services.”

A Flood Emergency Warning message has been issued for Lower River Murray as peak water flows have now passed Berri. Picture: SES

Due to the rising floodwaters the Waikerie ferry is closed, which will likely affect travel routes.

“With large number of tourists currently visiting Waikerie and Morgan communities to enjoy the areas and views of the River Murray over the coming long weekend, the SASES encourages people to familiarise themselves with the area and ensure they are able to travel safely throughout the area and relocate to a place of safety if required,” the notice said.

Travellers are encouraged to check the latest road and ferry closures via www.sa.gov.au to plan their route.

This comes after a Partial Return advice message issued by the State Emergency Service said the risk of flooding for parts of Mannum near Mary Ann Reserve has reduced.

Floodwaters have been stabilised due to pumping operations so it is now safe to return to properties adjacent to Mary Ann Reserve.

Three households sought emergency accommodation after properties next to the Mary Ann Reserve in Mannum were evacuated as stormwater drainage failed early on Thursday.

Map of the partial return to properties adjacent Mary Ann Reserve in Mannum. Picture: SASES

“Engineers have inspected the site and have worked with Mid Murray council and SES to determine a suitable solution to the damaged stormwater pipe,” a public notice from the SES said.

“The main levee was not breached and remains an effective barrier against rising floodwaters from the River Murray,

“As a result of this, the evacuation warning has been reassessed to be current only for properties adjacent to Mary Ann Reserve.”

Work has begun on a second levee behind the existing levee to allow repairs to the stormwater pipe which will require pumping large amounts of water that has pooled behind the levee back into the River Murray.

More than a dozen homes were doorknocked by State Emergency Service, and three families sought emergency accommodation.

“Two homes decided to remain in situ, one of those households has subsequently departed the area this morning,” SES chief officer Chris Beattie said.

“We’re continuing to work with engineers and councils on a remediation solution, we’ve been undertaking quite a lot of large volume pumping to keep the levels low and that will continue while we look at options to cap the pipe on the river side of the levee.

“This infrastructure failure will not impact on the integrity of the broader levee network around them and really only impacts on the Mary Ann Reserve and those dozen or so properties.”

At least 1100 properties along the river have been flooded so far and that is expected to rise to 4000 over coming weeks. An estimated 255 business and 4000 hectares of agricultural land will be affected.

SA SES issue emergency evacuation warning for properties adjacent to Mary Ann Reserve at Mannum. Picture: SA SES

The SES advised flooding could impact River Lane leading into Wattle St on the riverfront.

Due to a stormwater infrastructure failure at the Mannum Rowing Club there is a possibility the levee may be breached.

SES chief of staff Robert Charlton said the levee is still intact, but the structure will be reassessed later on Thursday.

“Water came up through a stormwater pipe and through the rowing club,” he told ABC Radio.

“It damaged the building and bubbled up through the grass in the reserve and we saw water on the wrong side of the levee. We’ve undertaken pumping to reduce the level of the water and to reduce it impacting further.”

Meanwhile, the floodwater peak will pass through Loxton over the coming week.

It is expected the floodwater peak will hit Swan Reach and Mannum between January 2-13 and in Murray Bridge between January 3-14.

Floodwaters may drop down in mid-January to below 150GL per day at the border, quickly decreasing to 60GL per day by early February.

Mr Beattie said operators and people living on houseboats will need to be aware of where they are when the floodwaters have a “rapid drop-off”.

“(They) need to be aware that with the rapid drop-off in the water level … they don’t end up stranded on a sandbar as water drops down overnight,” he said.

Additional restrictions on boating and water activities were implemented on Wednesday.

40+ pictures: River locals show life amid floods

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WEDNESDAY WEATHER WARNING

After three days of extremely hot weather in South Australia, a cool change came through on Wednesday with a possible thunderstorm forecast for parts of the state including along the River Murray.

While this will bring relief from the heat, rain and gusty winds are expected.

With the River Murray flood peak making its way down the river, the State Emergency Service advised the community along the river to be mindful of the impact the windy conditions may have on river level heights.

Gusty winds may cause some “wavelike” action and some members of the community may see the impacts in their area, according to the SES.

The thunderstorm threat comes after a three-day heatwave saw parts of the state reaching temperatures above 40C.

After dropping to the mid 20s on Wednesday and Thursday, the temperature will pick up again in time for end of year celebrations.

The Blanchetown Caravan Park on December 12 – and the flooding has worsened since then. Picture: Morgan Sette

The Bureau of Meteorology is currently forecasting 31C for New Year’s Eve and 36C for New Year’s Day in Adelaide.

NYE will see 15-20km/h south-easterly winds and sunny conditions.

Further north, residents of Port Augusta should prepare for a warm New Year’s Eve with 35C expected, while Mt Gambier in the southeast will herald the new year with a more mild 27C.

Senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology Vince Rowlands said the presence of Cyclone Ellie off the Northern Territory was unlikely to impact SA’s weather or floods.