Dire warning amid record river flooding

South Australian authorities issued the urgent warning for parts of the river just days before Christmas after the River Murray’s warning levels were raised to the “Major Flood” alert level.

In an ironic twist, those same alerts were accompanied by warnings of heatwaves affecting the North West Pastoral, Riverland and West Coast regions throughout Christmas Day and early into Boxing Day.

The towns of Renmark, Berri, Loxton and Cobdolga were in the firing line after peak flows of up to 180GL per day reached the South Australian border on December 23.

The Bolto shack community near Mannun was isolated after Hunter Rd near Haythorpe Reserve was closed due to “significant damage by rising flood waters”.

SES crews warned people living in these locations needed to evacuate or prepare for flooding lest they fail to leave.

“Regardless of your property’s ability to withstand flood impacts, there is a chance you may become flooded or isolated,” the warning, issued at 5.45pm on December 23 reads.

“If you remain in the area you may become trapped without water, power and other essential services.”

Renmark Paringa Council on Boxing Day said their 38km levee network was being consistently monitored.

“Our Emergency Incident Management Team has also continued to meet over the Christmas break and wanted the community to be rest assured that the levee network is holding strong,” a council Facebook post read.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said water levels in Renmark were forecast to exceed heights not seen since 1931.

“This is a big water event, it does present challenges, but we are as better prepared as we’ve been any other circumstance like this in the state’s history,” he said on Friday.

Mr Malinauskas said the preparations would allow communities to withstand the impending peak levels.

3000 properties were already disconnected from power as of Christmas Eve.