Dam failing in Echunga, South Australia, flood alert

The State Emergency Service website states that a dam is failing in Echunga, in the Adelaide Hills, promoting an emergency warning.

The SES said that there is a danger to people's safety and residents have been warned to prepare for flooding and follow their emergency plan.

Echunga is a small town in the Adelaide Hills, about 34 kilometres south-east of Adelaide.

The dam is located on farming land between Marianna St and Churchill Road.

If the path is clear, the SES has urged people to relocate to the home of family and friends outside the warning area or to the Echunga Football ClubEchunga Football Club.

SA Police Senior Constable Kylie Simpson said that up to 20 homes have been identified in the high-risk area, but that residents have all been notified.

State Emergency Services State Duty Officer David O'Shannessy told ABC Radio Adelaide crews they were asking people to move out of the area.

He said that we are doing everything we can to mitigate that risk.

The dam, located less than 500 metres upstream from the town of Echunga, holds about 10 megaliters of water.

On its website, the SES said last night that the private dam was showing signs of structural failure in its wall.

The SES warned people not to walk, drive or ride through floodwater because of the fact that floodwaters could rise quickly and were likely to be fast moving.

A number of roads are closed, including Aldgate-Strathalbyn Road at Echunga Road, Echunga Road at Aldgate-Strathalbyn Road, Battunga Road at Meadows Road, Strathalbyn at Sophia Street and Churchill Road at Old Mount Barker Rd.

More to come.