After two days of sandbagging around Milang shacks last week, more than 100 local residents attended a community meeting concerned with Lake Alexandrina’s rising flood levels.
South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) urged residents to prepare for increasing water levels, with Lake Alexandrina in particular impacted by wind, tide and wave activity.
“A combination of wind and high tides and River Murray inflows mean that shack areas in Milang and low-lying areas of the Lower Lakes are likely to experience rising water levels,” an SES spokesperson said.
An increased presence of SES representatives and emergency service personnel will be in the area over the coming weeks, while resources are also available online.
SES representative Rob Hardy explained at the recent meeting that the nation is experiencing a shortage of sandbags during the “unprecedented” flooding event.
“The reason you’re getting your sandbags (from interstate)… is because there’s a national shortage,” he said.
“All the flooding in New South Wales and Queensland over the last year has nationally tapped our resources of sandbags, so we’re getting our sandbags just in time.”
Attendees were also advised that extra snake catchers have been contracted after seeing increased numbers along the river.
Support has been offered by Federal and State Governments which are offering $126.25 million in further disaster assistance for communities hit by the flooding.
An Emergency Relief Centre was opened at the Ramblers Football Club in Murray Bridge where – along with those already operating at Berri and Mannum – where the public can access information and apply for support including financial relief and emergency accommodation.
FLOOD-RELATED RESOURCES
Residents may call the Relief Information line on: (1800 302 787), or for further information on the River Murray flood event, call: (1800 362 361).
The Department of Environment and Water is now offering a more detailed daily water level table from the local region. For further information, visit: (www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/river-murray-floods).
SES resources or information on its an SMS service for local residents can be found via: (www.ses.sa.gov.au) or call: (1800 362 361).
For life-threatening emergencies, call: (000), and for emergency help in flood and storms call: (132 500).
Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes, Member for Finniss David Basham, and Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick expressed concern for those affected and noted the community spirit in pulling together.
“They’re a good community – they’re a good group,” Mayor Parkes said.
“(They’re) aware of… and looking after the ones who aren’t here,” Mr Basham added.
Mr Basham described the local waterflow, wind and tides as “a perfect storm”.
“The shacks sit about half a metre above normal level so it doesn’t take much to cause an issue,” he said.
“I was down here yesterday afternoon and I was quite pleased to see several boats decide it wasn’t a good idea to go out, and the boat ramp is now closed.
“Hopefully things will settle back down and the wind will stop blowing.”
Mayor Parkes said the area is “unfortunate” to receive consistent south-easterly winds.
“That’s always what SA Water were telling us months ago, that king tides and strong winds were what they were worried about,” Mayor Parkes said.
“There is a bit more of a margin of safety in the Goolwa channel area than there is at Milang foreshore.”
He urged local residents to take caution in the water, particularly around debris with trees and logs floating just under the surface.
Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Joe Szakacs, encouraged affected communities to keep up-to-date with SES advice.
“The Malinauskas Government is supporting river communities with practical, financial and other support and we will continue to do so now and throughout the recovery process,” he said.
Minister Szakacs briefed Member for Mayo, Rebekah Sharkie, on how the environmental factors are impacting Milang.
“I have also raised with the Minister concerns regarding water quality and smell at the Murray Mouth in Goolwa,” she posted on Facebook.
SA SES Chief Officer, Chris Beattie, thanked the SES and emergency services personnel on the ground for the “energy and commitment shown” who “continue to work tirelessly for the community”.