Australia Weather News

Residents trying to move between Eyre Peninsula towns are stranded without fuel as ongoing power shortages across South Australia put petrol bowsers out of commission.

Spanish teacher Jane Glasson is stuck in Whyalla where she teaches children and cannot drive back to her home in Cleve, 147 kilometres to the south-west.

All Whyalla schools have been closed and Ms Glasson spent a night in an apartment without power or food.

"Yesterday, nothing was open. There was just one Indian restaurant open and they got totally slammed," she said.

"We were given a torch but had not heating, not food, and when I was leaving this morning, they asked, have you got enough fuel?

"I hadn't even thought about all the valves being electric. I'm just ringing around now to find someone who's got some spare fuel so I can get home."

Ms Glasson had driven into Whyalla on Wednesday, describing the windy conditions as "pretty hairy" with hail and heavy rain.

"Being in a car park now is a bit risky, you open the door and it's like woosh."

At her home in Cleve the power remains disconnected, the second time in two weeks after it went down for two-and-a-half days in storms that hit SA earlier this month.

"Port Lincoln is out today," Ms Glasson said.

"We're a bit sick of it as well. The novelty has worn off well and truly."

Flood risk for rivers, low-lying coastal regions

The Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council said the Hutt River in the Mid North had begun to breach its banks, creating a flooding risk in Clare.

"The Hutt River goes right through the town centre of Clare," council CEO Roy Blight said.

"There is running water — quite rapid running water — and we've closed streets and roads around the town centre and the district.

"The road to Blyth is cut."

The Bureau of Meteorology's latest severe weather warning for damaging winds and abnormally high tides applies to a large part of the state.

Gusts of up to 115 kilometres per hour have already been recorded as an intense low moves across South Australia.

A second low is expected to lead to more strong winds and heavy rain later today.

The sea level is forecast to reach 3.8 metres at Outer Harbor, potentially causing flooding for low lying areas.

Flood warnings are also in place for several rivers.