Businesses along the Murray River are trying to keep up with demand for generators ahead of a flood peak expected to reach South Australia within the week.
SA Power Networks is shutting off electricity to some areas to protect infrastructure as flows across the border from Victoria reached 150 gigalitres today.
Irrigator Drew Martin said the water had cut off access to his pump site at Murtho, near Lock 6.
"We've bought additional generators and diesel tanks," he said.
"We've done everything that we can do.
"We've got a levee bank around the pump house, which was designed for [the 1956 flood], so we're taking extra measures in case the forecast is wrong."
Matthew Wilson, who runs a car and parts dealership in Waikerie, says generators have been "selling like hot cakes".
"We have six in stock at the moment and I've already sold nine out of the 18 that I've ordered," he said.
Mr Wilson said his business had been flat-out with inquiries since the state government announced grants for generator purchases as part of a flood support package.
Demand for equipment hire has also increased, according to Berri-based farm machinery hire manager Ben McPhee.
"[There's been a lot of requests] for excavators to build the banks, skid-steers, rollers, generators as well, and transfer pumps," he said.
"A lot of blockies are concerned with pumps in low-lying areas — they're having to build banks up around them to make sure that they're able to water their crops.
"A lot of businesses around the Riverland have also sourced larger generators to run supermarkets."
Mr McPhee said he expected some of the equipment to be hired out for three to six months.
"Even after the river levels drop, there is still going to be that clean-up of towns," he said.
Power cut to hundreds of homes
SA Power Networks spokesperson Paul Roberts said disconnections to properties had been accelerated.
"We're up to 394 and we're expecting in the next week it will be somewhere as much as 1,950, depending on what actually happens," he said.
"We're relying on the government modelling.
"We have crews on the ground and we have to deal with what is actually happening on the ground in terms of what the water is doing."
Mr Roberts said power was being shut off for customers who had, or would have, their property and service point connections inundated.
"Most of the bulk of those will be in the low-lying areas around Renmark, Waikerie and Mannum," he said.
"That corresponds with the houses that are being inundated, where people are evacuating because they are going to get water in them or they've got water in them.
"The bottom line is we don't want to disconnect one more customer than necessary to protect lives and property."
Mr Roberts advised people to turn their power off to avoid damaging infrastructure.
"People should also turn off solar panels at the roof — get your electrician to help with that," he said.
"But the biggest, most important thing for people is to stay clear of powerlines and stay clear of electricity infrastructure in floodwaters."
The state government has opened an emergency relief centre in Berri to provide more information.
People can also call the River Murray Flood Relief line on 1800 302 787.
