The South Australian government will provide extra funds for emergency accommodation as floodwaters continue to surge down the Murray, impacting local communities.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said $1.2 million would be allocated to book up to 500 beds across local towns as a last resort for those forced from their homes.
He said it was hoped as many people as possible would first try to stay with family or friends, given they may be unable to return to their properties for some time.
"That is the far more preferable outcome for those individuals and those families. Preferable for themselves, but also preferable for local communities and preferable to the state government," Mr Malinauskas said.
"But, nonetheless, we want to make sure there is the ability to put a roof over people's heads who simply have literally no other option whatsoever."
With the floods looming, authorities have doorknocked 4800 properties to ensure everyone likely to be impacted understands what is coming their way.
That has identified about 260 households that will need help with somewhere to stay.
The first peak in the river level is tipped to reach Renmark, near the Victorian border, about December 14, with daily flows expected to hit about 175 gigalitres.
The peak is expected to reach Mannum, east of Adelaide, about December 27 where levee strengthening and construction efforts are 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.
Mr Malinauskas said the full extent and impact of the flooding was an evolving situation and would vary across individual properties and communities.
He said the situation was being constantly monitored with officials "preparing for the worst and hoping for the best".
"The good news is that the overwhelming majority of people have got a plan in place and are prepared to deal with the water that is coming," the premier said.
"The water is coming. There are many homes and properties that simply cannot be protected from that."
On Wednesday a second emergency relief centre will open at Mannum where locals impacted by the flooding can access a range of services including personal hardship grants, rental assistance and emergency accommodation, food relief and financial counselling.
A similar centre is also open at Berri in the Riverland.
The SA government previously announced a $51.6 million assistance package, including support for tourism and other businesses, as well as direct emergency payments to homeowners.
The federal government has also provided the disaster recovery allowance to people across nine SA districts.
