Floodwaters surging down the Murray River and set to inundate thousands of properties in South Australia have slowed, giving communities at risk more time to prepare.
The first peak, when flows will rise to about 175 gigalitres a day, is now expected to reach Renmark on about December 14, about two weeks later than first forecast.
It will then reach Mannum, east of Adelaide, about December 27.
A second peak is also expected in SA towards the end of the year, when flows will reach about 185GL and could push as high as 220GL.
About 4000 properties in SA, including shacks, homes, farms and businesses, are likely to be inundated to some degree as the water levels rise.
More than 450 of those are permanent homes.
Authorities have begun doorknocking river communities to ensure locals have made plans for what is heading their way.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said 675 premises had already been visited, with 277 families so far indicating they planned to stay.
The flooding down the Murray will be the worst since the 1970s, with the 140GL water flows on Thursday already the highest since 1974.
Towns most at risk include Renmark, near the Victorian border, and Mannum, east of Adelaide, where a levee is being built that will leave some businesses and homes unprotected.
The levee at Renmark has been upgraded to better protect the low-lying parts of the town, including the local hospital.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was pleased that forecasts for water flows were becoming more certain.
"But it is a significant volume of water, and that does mean that a lot of homes are going to be inundated," he said.
"And it doesn't matter if it's one home or 100, for the people affected it's a big deal and we have to plan and respond accordingly."
The government last week 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 to help employees and sole traders who lose income.
Payments will depend on individual circumstances, but are linked to youth and JobSeeker allowances.
While many impacted by the floods in SA will take refuge with family or friends, the state government has also secured emergency motel accommodation.
For those with caravans, the government has identified a site in the Riverland with power and toilets that can accommodate up to 200 vans.
For those who must leave their homes for an extended period and can find a private rental option, the government is offering up to $5000 to help cover costs.
A site for an evacuation centre has also been secured to provide a single night of accommodation as people are triaged into motels or other accommodation.
So far about 1950 properties have been disconnected from the electricity grid, with that number expected to rise to about 4000.
About 85 roads across the Riverland region have also been closed.
