Warning over safety as flood waters rise
River Murray flood sightseeing has prompted safety warnings, as families walk across an inundated bridge in Renmark where locals say a boy drowned in the 1974 high waters.
Families walk across the flooded Twentyfirst Street Bridge during flooding at Renmark. Photo: Facebook
Concerned locals in Renmark are worried people are taking serious risks walking through flood waters as the river continues to rise, amid debate prompted by photographs of children and adults crossing the flooded 21st Street bridge leading into town.
Renmark Paringa Mayor Peter Hunter warned locals to exercise caution, saying fast-flowing water was unpredictable even for the strongest swimmers.
“People need to exercise extreme caution. In 1974 there was a death and our heart goes out to that family,” Hunter said, adding that some memories of the 1956 and 1974 floods are creating distress for some locals.
“It does look good: in early days we are seeing yabbies washed across the road, but it’s getting deeper and getting faster. We would hope people don’t go across the bridge: you just don’t know with the current.
“I can swim well but if I fell and hit my head, I might not have a chance to swim well.”
There are reports of others exploring flood waters in dinghies without lifejackets and swimming in fast-flowing water, with Hunter calling on the community to pull together and ensure emergency services can focus on current jobs protecting residents, towns and properties.
“If the SES has to stop what they are doing to help others in trouble it’s not helpful, we need to think about the whole community,” he said.
Royal Life Saving SA has also cautioned against swimming in the River Murray as flood waters rise.
Hunter said those feeling distressed about the current flood event can access mental health support at the new emergency relief centre operating from the Berri Senior Citizens Club at 12 Crawford Terrace.
The council and emergency services now plan to install flood barriers across the town’s foreshore, stretching from the visitor’s centre to the Bank SA building.
Extensive work has been completed to check engineering on the front deck of the Renmark Club on the riverfront, to ensure it can withstand heavy DefenCell flood barriers being placed across the deck to protect the popular restaurant, bar and meeting place.
Water is now covering footpaths along the foreshore and creeping up the club’s front steps, with the first peak of 175GL to 180GL river flow across the border expected on December 14 and a second peak of 185km around Christmas.
Water rises at Renmark Club with plans to install flood barriers on the riverfront deck. Photo: Facebook
Hunter said council patrols are checking the council’s 38km of levees every day. While some weaknesses had been identified and repaired, he is confident the barriers will hold to keep the town safe from flooding.
Residents of the Renmark Hospital were being moved as a precaution as water rises at the levee behind the building, with Hunter saying it is the highest section of levee in the town built to 1956’s 341GL a day river flow height.
However, Hunter said the council was unable to manage building more barriers downstream and upstream of the town and a private levee was breached downstream yesterday affecting three to four properties.
Today, the State Government announced it was booking accommodation at motels, caravan parks and hotels throughout the River Murray region for those needing emergency housing.
Emergency services led by the SA police has now door-knocked 4800 homes to warn residents about moving safely or if they needed emergency help, with Premier Peter Malinauskas saying of those about 260 said they may need emergency housing.
“The water is coming and many homes and properties simply can not be protected by that,” he said.
“Another $1.2 million will go to booking a range of short-term accommodation options, up to 500 beds in communities and locations as close to those families and homes.”
This includes a range of houses, cottages, hotel and motel rooms, cabins at caravan parks, would also create an economic stimulus in the region as it is hit with plunging bookings and a decimated tourist industry.
Between 3500 and 4000 properties including homes, shacks and sheds could be inundated and accommodation applications can be made through the emergency relief centres in Berri or one being opened in Mannum tomorrow.
Detailed analysis by the Environment and Water Department shows approximately 455 primary residences are at risk should flows reach 200 gigalitres a day, while approximately 1086 primary residences would be at risk should flows reach 250 gigalitres a day.
