Heavy rains prompt flood warnings across SA
The State Emergency Service has warned of the risk of flooding from numerous creeks and rivers as heavy spring rains continue to fill local catchments.
An overflowing creek at Marrabel in the state's Mid North on Tuesday. Photo: Edward Connelly/InDaily
The SES this afternoon issued a series of flood advice alerts about the risk of localised flooding in the following areas:
- North Para River Catchment
- Wakefield River in the Mid North
- Burra Creek at Burra
- Hutt River at Clare
- Light River Catchment
- Broughton River Catchment
- Gilbert River Catchment
The SES advises residents to prepare their family and home for flooding in their area, to move valuable items to a safe place, clear drains and gutters if safe to do so and to follow their emergency plan.
In a statement to InDaily, the SES said it “continues to monitor the situation closely and has the capability to deploy rapidly if required”.
“Currently we are seeing water over roads at a number of locations. SASES volunteers are currently responding to a small number of jobs in the area. The SASES is also currently conducting aerial reconnaissance to help identify the potential extent of the risk,” it said.
“A team of SASES Swiftwater Technicians (4) is also currently enroute to the area in case they are required.”
The SES said it was never safe to drive through floodwaters and information on what to do before, during and after a flood can be found on the SASES website at ses.sa.gov.au.
For SASES flood assistance people can call 132 500, if the situation is life threatening call Triple Zero (000).
The Bureau of Meteorology said that “significant rainfall over the last few days has caused river and creek level rises across the Light, Wakefield, and Gilbert Rivers”.
“Further showers are forecast for the rest of Tuesday, which will exacerbate river and creek levels throughout the catchment and cause further rises.”
The Bureau said of the Light River: “Rapid river level rises and elevated river levels are occurring along the Light and Gilbert Rivers, particularly in the upper catchments. River level rises will extend downstream during Tuesday and into Wednesday.”
Wakefield River: Rapid river level rises and elevated river levels are occurring along the Wakefield River, particularly in the upper catchment. River level rises will extend downstream during Tuesday and into Wednesday.
An overflowing creek at Marrabel in the Mid North. Photo: Edward Connelly/InDaily
The Bureau said the Adelaide Hills and northern regions received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, with Uraidla recording 32mm and Gumeracha 33mm, Roseworthy 31mm and Tanunda 29mm.
Mt Bold Reservoir, which in mid-October opened its floodgates for the first time in five years, received 22mm.
Kangaroo Creek Reservoir also opened its spillway last week after the catchment received 15 billion litres of water since winter.
