Parts of SA receive between 10-20mm drenching in first downpour of 2025

A major road in regional SA has closed due to flooding as South Aussies lap up the first real downpour of the year.

Much-needed rain has blessed parts of the state, with the Flinders Ranges copping a “quick” downpour this morning, turning a dry creek bed into a flowing river in the middle of the outback.

Regions north of Adelaide received enough rain to flood and close a major road.

SA Police advised that the Flinders Ranges Way at Willochra was currently closed due to flooding.

Police have advised drivers to park at Quorn or Hawker, and expect the flooding to subside within the next 2-3 hours.

Police have advised people not to enter flood water, especially when its flowing, and have also said for properly fitted 4WD or heavy vehicles not to enter flood water.

In a video posted social media, gushing water can be seen flowing strongly at Booleroo Centre in the Flinders Ranges.

Owner of Ground Up Agronomy, Michelle Bammann posted the video from one of her clients on Thursday, and said it was a welcome relief for many farmers, but said more was needed to be a “drought breaker”.

A koala drinking from a water flowing on the side of a road.

“It’s definitely a welcome sight, and as much as we’ve welcomed this bit of rain, it will give the ones who got a decent amount a little bit of confidence but we’re gonna need a lot of follow-up,” she said

“The rain event that happened at Booleroo today, was the biggest rain event in about 18 months, and they’ve gotten nowhere close to recording 25mm within one rain.

“By no stretch of the imagination will people be out of trouble in one year from the effects of last year.”

‘I can’t believe I’m so excited about rain’: After Adelaide’s driest start to a year since 1989, South Aussies have welcomed today’s dose of wet weather. How much rain has your suburb had? Send your weather videos to 7NEWS Adelaide: https://t.co/xdDzDd1frA#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/2eUFkWdGg4

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) March 20, 2025

More videos posted to social media show other parts of the state that have copped a downpour, with one clip showing a koala having a drink of freshwater from the side of a road.

In footage obtained by 7News, a man laughs as he stands on his front porch, as the rain started.

“It’s raining, this is awesome,” he said.

“That's the best thing, I haven’t seen it in so long, this is amazing, I can’t believe I am so excited about rain.”

The Bureau of Meteorology said most of the rainfall this morning occurred over the Eyre Peninsula, with a “handful” of areas receiving more than 10mm of rain.

“Through the early morning most the rainfall occurred over Eyre Peninsula with a handful of areas receiving over 10mm,” a spokesperson said.

“As we transitioned through the morning and into the afternoon the Adelaide Metro and Mount Lofty Ranges districts received the most rainfall with totals the highest through the northern suburbs.

“Since midnight Hermitage has received the highest total of 20mm as of 2:30pm.

“Over the course of this event the Adelaide (West Terrace) weather station has received more rainfall over the course of this event than it has seen all year.

“Before this event the station had received 6.6mm while through this event the total is currently up to 7.2mm.”

The BOM said storms had occurred east of the Flinders Ranges, and were moving towards the New South Wales and Victoria border, however, data was still coming in, and the final results would not be finalised until Friday.

The BOM said there “may still” be a “few storms” over the Riverland and surrounding areas, and that there was no more rainfall forecast for the agricultural areas over the next seven days.