Premier tours flood affected communities

Premier Steven Marshall will today tour some of South Australia’s flood affected communities to thank locals, volunteers and our emergency services on the ground.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief Officer of the SES, Liz Connell and Deputy Premier Dan van Holst Pellekaan, the Premier will visit Port Augusta and Glendambo, both of which have seen hundreds of millimetres of rain over the past week.

Premier Marshall said his Government was doing everything it can to help support everyone affected by South Australia’s recent extreme weather, from flying in vital supplies to cut-off communities, to sending rapid response teams out to assess damage.

“No stone will be left unturned in our efforts to help our regional communities, who have been dealt a fierce blow with many extreme weather fronts over the last week,” Premier Marshall said.

“While the rain has been a godsend for some of our farmers, it has been devastating for local communities who have been cut off because of closed roads, rail and other vital infrastructure.

“Emergency services are currently working on the re-opening of the Stuart Highway and engineers are working on options to expedite this process.

“I want to acknowledge this is an extremely stressful and difficult time for people in these communities, for those that have loved ones there, and even those who know of people in these areas.

“Our amazing emergency services are working hard to get supplies into these communities and to those who need it. The community should be reassured that food, medical supplies and fuel are being brought into the area and those who need it will have access.

“In fact, by yesterday afternoon there will have been nine drops of supplies via planes completed to areas who need it,” Premier Marshall said.

Delivery trucks also departed Adelaide yesterday afternoon via Barkly Highway to deliver essential supplies to the APY Lands, with a SA Health organised cargo aircraft set to uplift 600kgs of essential food items today from the Parafield Airport to Pipalyatjara, weather permitting.

“To all South Australians – please continue to limit travel to or through these areas. Many roads are still closed, impassable or very dangerous. People can check the status of road closures across South Australia by visiting the Traffic SA website.

“I look forward to meeting with the local people, businesses and of course our wonderful volunteers in both Port Augusta and Glendambo today.

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