The River Murray flood is expected to peak in Renmark in the next 48 to 72 hours — either on Boxing Day or early on December 27 — with hopes water levels will be lower than first predicted.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said flows to the state across the NSW-Victoria border were looking closer to 190 gigalitres per day rather than up to 220 gigalitres — the top of the range predicted — but it cannot be said with "100 per cent confidence".
"That is a good thing," the Premier said.
"It means less homes being inundated, it means less people being displaced, but it still does mean a substantial body of water at a level we haven't seen in our state for a long, long time indeed."
The flow peaked at 187 gigalitres at Wentworth — just across the border in NSW — on Sunday.
The river is expected to peak downstream in Mannum between January 7 and 10.
Mr Malinauskas said the peak through South Australia would be "well short" of the record 1956 flood but would be similar to the 1931 level.
"This is a big water event; it does present challenges, but we are as best prepared as we have been for any circumstance like this in the state's history," he said.
A total fo 3,260 properties have already been disconnected from electricity, with that number set to grow.
About 4,000 properties are expected to be flooded at some point, although they are not all homes.
Almost 1,500 inquiries have been received at relief centres in Berri and Mannum, with another centre to open on January 5 at Murray Bridge.
About 500 of the 25,000 emergency accommodation beds booked by the state government have been used so far.
So far, 14 levees have reportedly failed.
State Emergency Services chief officer Chris Beattie said levees continued to be assessed and there had been no breaches in the past 48 hours.
"So far we're really satisfied and pleased with how that's progressing, but as we see the peak go through, I think we can expect to see some of the smaller and the private levees start to fail, consistent with what we've seen over the last couple of weeks," he said.
An emergency warning was issued for the entire River Murray in South Australia last night.
Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier yesterday encouraged South Australians to avoid exposure to mosquitoes and get vaccinated against the Japanese encephalitis virus if eligible.
A man in his 80s from the Riverland has become the first person to contract the virus in the new mosquito season.
Recreational use of the river will remain banned but the government is looking at modifying the direction and when it will be lifted.
