River Murray towns face two flood peaks, a second one at Christmas predicted to hit 185GL a day

Two major banks are offering financial relief for Riverland residents, as updated modelling predicts towns will be smashed by two flood peaks.

Two big banks have offered additional financial relief for Riverland residents, as new modelling predicts a second flood peak of at least 185GL will hit River Murray communities at Christmas time.

The unwelcome news comes with forecasts of moderate chance of 200GL flows and an outside chance of the river hitting 220GL. Even at 185GL/day the flow would be higher than during the 1974 flood, which was measured at 180GL.

Forecasts for a first peak, due to hit early next month, remains at 175GL.

Westpac and BankSA customers in flood-affected regions will be eligible to defer home loan repayments for up to three months and credit card repayments for up to 90 days.

Three month deferment offers have also been extended to business loan customers, alongside fee-free loan restructuring and merchant facility fee refunds.

Communities along the river will also have access to more flood protection, with four kilometres of DefenCell flood barriers arriving in Adelaide from Italy today, with 400,000 extra sandbags set to arrive in coming days.

The DefenCell system, which is used by the US Army, allows a barrier to be erected around vital infrastructure before being quickly filled using a bobcat or excavator.

And for the first time the flood emergency might affect those living in the city, with Department of Environment and Water director Ben Bruce warning that city residents might notice a decline in the taste of their drinking water.

Mr Bruce emphasised that the water would still be fully treated and completely safe to drink.

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Premier Peter Malinauskas said confidence in the 175GL-a-day figure had “gone up substantially” with a low probability floodwaters will peak at 200GL/day in early December.

But he said the government now has a “firm eye” on the second peak in late December.

“Approximately 200GL of water is consumed every year across the state of SA … we now face the prospect of that coming across the border every single day in the River Murray,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“We’re preparing for the worst but hoping for the best, but today is a good day when it comes to those forecasts.”

The Murray River ‘Tree of Knowledge’ floodmarker, showing the rising water level.

Mr Bruce said the second peak was moving faster than initial predicted flows.

However, he didn’t expect the flood event to last longer under updated modelling, with waters expected to recede around mid-February.

SES chief executive Chris Beattie said there were currently 320 residents disconnected from the power grid, with an additional 680 disconnections anticipated over the coming week.

Mr Beattie said about 4000 customers were predicted to be without power once the Christmas peak hits.

He said planned evacuations would begin for vulnerable residents in Renmark if flows reached 180GL/day, 5GL/day higher than the predicted early December peak.

There’s no support “at this stage” from the federal government for casual workers who lost wages in the flood, the Premier said.

“That sits within the realm of the Commonwealth. What we can do is support individuals who are in acute need and also support businesses,” he said.

New restrictions have been introduced for boating and aquatic activities, with all vessels and watercraft restricted to a maximum speed of 4 knots within 250m of any submerged dwelling or building, levee bank or at night or reduced visibility.

Jetskis are prohibited from operating above 4 knots anywhere on the river, while swimmers and personal craft such as kayaks are prohibited from swimming, bathing or diving within 250m of locks and weirs.

DefenCell flood protection technology arrives at Adelaide Airport on Thursday morning. Picture; Supplied

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said with flood events occuring across South-Eastern Australia there was some competition when it came to securing the defence cells and sandbags, and that South Australia would “unashamedly” put itself first.

The premier said exact figures around the second peak would not be firmed up until mid-to-late December.