The Schultz family barricaded their Riverland home as soon as they caught wind that they could be in the firing line of the rising River Murray.
"We decided if we're going to build a fence, we might as well make it for the 1974 flood level," Linley Schultz said.
"Then I thought we might as well whack a foot on top of that."
Situated in the Gurra Gurra area opposite Berri, the grape-growing family has built a medieval-style wall around its house, which is now completely surrounded by water.
"They came around and put vineyard posts a metre into the ground. And then we strutted them and used tin and shade cloth and plastic and sandbags," Mr Schultz said.
"So far it's got a few leaks and a lot of seepage underneath, but we have four sump pumps that run 24 hours a day."
Linley Schultz and his son Jack spent Wednesday strengthening their defences, transporting sheets of tin and planks of wood on top of two canoes they strapped together.
"We used them to also move fridges upright and all of the furniture out of the house two weeks ago," the senior Mr Schultz said.
The SES issued a watch and act message for Gurra Gurra on Tuesday night, warning residents to prepare to evacuate.
Peak water flows down the river are expected to hit the nearby town of Berri around late December to early January.
While the Schultzes still have power and running water, they are confident their makeshift fence will hold, but are prepared to leave if necessary.
"We sleep with a life jacket next to the bed and all the electronics are up high in plastic boxes," Linley said.
"I'm comfortable that everything is in place and that the wall will hold out."
Risks involved in staying at home
South Australian Emergency Minister Joe Szakacs said people who choose to stay in their homes as they become surrounded by water need to be aware of the risks involved.
"People are resilient, they are prepared and they remain optimistic," Mr Szakacs said.
"If people are choosing to remain in their homes… then they must be prepared to spend time without power, without water and without sewerage."
On Monday, State Emergency Service chief officer Chris Beattie said that about one levee a day was breaking or breaching along the river — mostly private or agricultural levees.
A private levee protecting the Kingston-on-Murray Caravan Park broke on Wednesday, following a warning last week that it might happen.
Mr Szakacs said the inspection of levees in communities along the River Murray was "ongoing".
"Our emergency services are undertaking a huge amount of work, which is not just the SES but also the Country [Fire Service] and Metropolitan Fire Service," he said.
"For anyone who is choosing to stay, the support and relief of the government is always there."
