The state government says it has secured more than 22,000 nights of accommodation for those impacted by the flood event, but residents are feeling the pinch as waters rise.
Chemist worker Kylee Potterat has to take the long way around the Murray River, as rising flood waters put her local ferry out of action.
She now drives from Lyrup via Renmark and Berri at least five days a week, spending an extra 45 minutes in the car each day.
"It's an extra 1,100 kilometres I'm doing in a fortnight," Ms Potterat said.
She is starting to feel the financial pressures as a single mother, with the extra fuel adding hundreds of dollars to her bills.
"It means we have to cut back on things," she said.
"Gotta stretch the budget a little further so that we can account for that extra petrol, we can't afford little luxuries."
With the Lyrup ferry out of action, others in the community have developed their own fixes.
Jason Fowler's journey to work now involves a car parked on either side of the river and a dinghy, since the ferry ceased operations.
"The first trip I nearly came out of it, but she's alright now. I've learnt how to do it," Mr Fowler said.
His boss lent him the dinghy and a work car to park on the Lyrup side of the river, saving him 40 minutes in the car if he took the long way around.
"It is frustrating, but it's a once in a lifetime [event] – you've just got to do what you've got to do to get around it," he said.
State government secures emergency accommodation
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the state government had secured more accommodation for those impacted by the flood event.
"Over 22,000 overnight bedstays have been secured up and down the river over the weeks and months ahead," Mr Malinauskas said.
From this week, 16 'Humanihuts' will be erected at the Riverland Exhibition Centre to house 64 people.
The centre can also accommodate 200 caravans with power and water.
The state government said it has also secured 35 recovery pods that can be set up at properties where homes were unable to be lived in.
A site suitable for people with mobility issues has also been secured.
Mr Malinauskas said people should still visit the region safely to support communities in need.
"Levees are very much engaged ... up and down the river and the necessity of these levees are very much on show," he said.
"Visiting the Riverland is still an entirely safe proposition.
"We're encouraging South Australians to still visit communities up and down the river."
Grower concerned
Downstream in Berri, growers in low-lying areas close to the River Murray are frustrated for different reasons.
Grape and olive grower Nontas Koutouzis said he felt his local council had left him and his neighbours behind.
A levee is being built further up the road from him, but it stops short of protecting his vineyards and property.
He said the lack of a council levee could cost him at least this year's crop.
"And probably next year — or lose our vines completely," Mr Koutouzis said.
"It does take around three-to-four years to get your vines back."
In a statement, Berri Barmera Council said it was committed to making sure the community was as protected as possible within the time frame available.
"We acknowledge that primary producers will be significantly impacted by this event and encourage them to contact or attend the Emergency Relief Centre set up at the Senior Citizens Club in Berri," chief executive Dylan Strong said.
