Forecast hot weather combined with earlier than expected peak flows are causing major concerns for more than a dozen levees along South Australia‘s River Murray.
There are 14 levees that have catastrophically failed and are considered to be beyond repair.
Another 18 levees have major defects and some of those are protecting towns.
Authorities are monitoring another 88 levees that have either moderate or minor damage, with peak flows forecast to arrive three days sooner than expected.
The water is predicted to reach its highest level in Renmark and Berri over the coming days.
The upcoming heatwave is also concerning authorities.
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Crucial parts of many levees are made out of clay and it is unclear how they will react to the extreme heat while bearing the load of swelling floodwaters.
South Australia State Emergency Service CEO Chris Beattie said it is inevitable
“I think it’s inevitable we’ll continue to see levees fail,” Beattie said.
“We’ll be very pre-emptive around warnings and messages to the community in terms of being prepared to evacuate and when to evacuate.”
