Renmark readies as flood peak looms

The South Australian Riverland town of Renmark is just about ready for the surge of water heading its way.

Flows down the Murray are expected to peak in the town in about two weeks, with water levels predicted to be the highest since the 1970s.

That's prompted a massive program to upgrade local levees to protect as many properties as possible, work that is just about complete.

Renmark Paringa Council chief executive Tony Siviour says 38 kilometres of levees have now been constructed or upgraded with some of the final work to be completed next week.

Daily inspection of the levees has also begun, using drones and visual checks.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says the state government has done just about all it could to assist as many people as possible.

"I think we're in the best possible spot we can be, given the difficulty of the circumstances," the premier told Adelaide radio FiveAA.

"The tragedy is, there's nothing we can do to stop this water coming."

When the first peak reaches Renmark around December 14, daily flows are expected to hit about 175 gigalitres.

That will be followed by a short settling of water levels, before a second peak towards the end of year when flows will surge to about 185 GL.

The rising Murray is expected to inundate up to 4000 properties in SA with more than 450 of those considered to be permanent residences.

Authorities have begun door-knocking across river communities to ensure people are prepared for what's coming their way with about 2500 properties checked so far.

Renmark and Mannum, east of Adelaide, are considered the towns most at risk. Levee construction at Mannum is also in full swing with the first peak flows set to reach there around December 27.

The state government last week announced a $51.6 million assistance package, including support for tourism and other businesses, as well as direct emergency payments to homeowners.

The federal government has also provided the disaster recovery allowance to people across nine SA districts to help employees and sole traders who have lost income.

While many impacted by the floods in SA will take refuge with family or friends, the state government has also secured emergency motel accommodation.

For those with caravans, the government has identified a site in the Riverland with power and toilets that can accommodate up to 200 vans.

For those who must leave their homes for an extended period and can find a private rental option, the government is offering up to $5000 to help cover costs.

A site for an evacuation centre has also been secured to provide a single night of accommodation as people are triaged into motels or other accommodation.

So far about 1200 properties have been disconnected from the electricity grid, with that number expected to rise to about 4000.

About 85 roads across the Riverland region have also been closed.