A flood warning has been issued for parts of Renmark, in South Australia's Riverland, as surging Murray River waters begin to impact the town.
The watch and act message issued on Monday is the first to be aimed at specific residents as water levels continue to rise, ahead of an expected peak in about 10 days.
The State Emergency Service said there was a risk to properties bounded by Crescent Street, Plushsbend Road, and the river within the Crescent levee.
It said crews were monitoring the situation and locals were urged to stay away from the area for their own safety.
The first peak in the river level is tipped to reach Renmark around December 14, with daily flows expected to hit about 175 gigalitres.
The peak is expected to reach Mannum, east of Adelaide, around December 27 where levee strengthening and construction efforts are also in full swing.
After a brief settling of water levels, a second peak, when flows could exceed 185 GL a day, is forecast to reach the SA border towards the end of the year.
Up to 4000 properties in SA are expected to be inundated, 450 of which are considered permanent residences.
On Sunday health authorities made the call to relocate 21 of the most vulnerable residents from the Renmark Paringa District Hospital as a precautionary measure.
"These 21 residents are not independently mobile and require the highest level of care and it is important that time is given to ensure relocation is done in a careful, controlled, and safe manner," local health chief Wayne Champion said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas visited Renmark on Saturday to help reassure locals and monitor preparations.
Mr Albanese praised the character and resilience of those in the flood's path who were working together to prepare.
"This is a difficult time but I have been really heartened by the optimism of this local community and just the sheer confidence that this community can be resilient and can get through this," he said.
