The South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) is intensifying its response to increase public awareness and safety as part of a Statewide response to the Declared Major Emergency River Murray flooding event.
The SASES announced that in the past week (to 7 December) 200 emergency services, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and the Volunteer Marine Rescue and Surf Life Saving SA personnel knocked on more than 5,000 properties in the flooded areas, including more than 530 houseboats between Murray Bridge and the Victorian border.
SASES said it had laid more than 200m of the water protection technology DefenCELL to protect the Mannum township from rising floodwaters.
Chief Officer of SASES, Chris Beattie, said the response from the public and Government Agencies had been outstanding as communities pulled together to help each other.
“Regular community meetings continue to be held in River Murray communities, and we are grateful for the feedback people are sharing with us,” Mr Beattie said.
“He said they recently assisted in evacuating people from a caravan park in Renmark after identifying a number of defects in the privately constructed levee.
“We continue to work closely with the Department of Environment and Water and local councils to inspect levees protecting townships, critical infrastructure, businesses and people’s homes along the River Murray,” the Chief Officer said.
Mr Beattie said it was vital that people continue to monitor the evolving situation by regularly checking the SA Government flood information website for the latest updates and current warnings, including road closures, ferry operations and impacted utilities.
He said South Australians can access support and information by calling the River Murray Hotline on 1800 362 361 or the SA Relief Information Line on 1800 302 787.
More information on the SA floods can be accessed at this PS News link.
