Australia Weather News

Flood warnings are in place to the north and south of Adelaide, including in SA's premier wine districts, while thousands remain without power after strong winds lashed the state overnight.

Parts of the Barossa Valley have been inundated with floodwaters after the North Para River broke its banks overnight.

Residents in Nuriootpa, Tanunda, Rowland Flat, Rosedale, Kingsford and the area between Nuriootpa and the Turretfield Dam were told to follow their emergency flood plans.

Homes in a low lying areas of Tanunda are under threat as floodwaters rapidly rise.

As the water edged closer to Tim Lynas's Tanunda home of 19 years, he said he could not believe his eyes.

"When we built the house, we built where we knew we would be safe but we are testing the limits at the moment," he said.

"We've got our fingers crossed at the moment."

CFS crews delivered sand bags to his home at about 4:00am when the water started rapidly rising.

The area has not flooded since 1983.

The rising floodwaters forced the late-night evacuation of campers at the caravan park in Tanunda.

South-east of the Barossa, the North Para River merges with the South Para River at Gawler, forming the Gawler River, which is also at risk of flooding.

The South Para reservoir has reached capacity and is spilling, causing flooding at the Gawler township.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned major flooding is likely further along the Gawler River.

State Emergency Service (SES) deputy chief officer Dermot Barry said crews were keeping a close eye on Gawler because homes could be flooded.

"I don't want to be alarmist, but there is potential for that [homes flooding] to happen, certainly, and we're monitoring it," he said.

Mr Barry said floodwaters were also threatening major highway Port Wakefield Road, north of Adelaide, as well as the rail line running north to Port Augusta.

Mr Barry said there was also concerns about the Broughton River near Port Pirie.

"Those who live up there would know where that is and we're sending sandbags and crews up that way as well," he said.

He said the situation across the state was constantly changing.

"Some of the rivers we thought had peaked already and were starting to ebb have now started to rise again," he said.

People rescued from vehicles

A moderate flood warning is also in place for the River Torrens and for Onkaparinga, south of Adelaide, where there was flooding just two weeks ago.

Mr Barry said there was some concern for the surrounding communities of Old Noarlunga and Port Noarlunga.

Several flood warnings remain in place around South Australia as rivers and creeks continue to rise.

Terry Dwyer from the SES reminded people to steer clear of floodwaters after several people had to be rescued from the tops of their vehicles after attempting to drive through waters overnight.

"The people that were stranded were caught probably were caught by the vast amount of water coming down in a real rush," he said.

"They may have entered a waterway that was only ankle deep, but within a few seconds it was at the top of their vehicle."

Matthew Linke had his car rescued from floodwaters just outside Nuriootpa.

He said he was driving around to see how bad the waters were and if anyone needed assistance when he got stuck.

"All of a sudden the water was up probably to the guards and had water coming into the car," he said.

"The CFS came in and we jumped in the truck, they brought us out and then pulled it out with the CFS."

Clare Valley inundated by floodwaters

South Australia's other major wine region, the Clare Valley, has also been inundated after the Wakefield River yesterday reached its highest level since September 2010.

The caravan park at Clare was also evacuated, and the town sandbagged.

The flood threat in Auburn in the Clare Valley has reduced, but the Auburn Primary School will remain closed today.

Strong winds that lashed the state overnight have also left thousands of people without power.

Most of those affected are in the Lower Eyre Peninsula, including Port Lincoln, which has been without power since Wednesday.

ElectraNet, which provides electricity infrastructure, is continuing to assess damage but says the conditions were hampering access to sites.

Paul Roberts from SA Power Networks said attempts were being made to restore towns along the state's west coast.

"We did get Port Pirie back, Port Augusta, we have restored Whyalla and we're moving slowly as we get some supplies that allows us to Eyre Peninsula," he told 891 ABC Adelaide.

"We may have some further issues in Port Lincoln."

The tourist town of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills has been without power since 6:30pm Thursday, and it is not expected to be reconnected until late this afternoon.

A severe weather warning for destructive winds across the state has now been cancelled.

SES to assess damage

SES deputy chief officer Dermot Barry said crews would have a chance to assess the scope of the damage today.

"The weather has eased overnight which is the good news," he said.

"We'll be able to get some aircraft up this morning and get a better understand of the extent of the damage.

"We'll have initial damage crews go out and get some real intel into the number of properties that have been damaged.

"Certainly this has been a significant event and a number of communities have been impacted."