Emergency services continue to monitor two private dams in the Adelaide Hills and south of Adelaide considered at “high risk” of failing amid ongoing rains, with residents still on alert for possible flooding.

The State Emergency Service kept overnight watch on the dams at Basket Range in the Hills and Hope Forest, 40 kilometres south of Adelaide, after issuing watch and act alerts to residents at the weekend.

Flood watch and act alerts were issued again for both dams on Monday morning.

The SES first issued the Hills dams warning on Sunday, saying there was a “high risk of a dam failure in Basket Range which may threaten you and your family’s safety”.

In a later alert on Sunday, the SES said “low-lying properties may be impacted on Lobethal Road along Deep Creek towards Knotts Hill Road. Road closures are in place”.

“The risk has reduced for properties along Deep Creek from Lobethal Road towards Elborough Avenue.”

Lobethal Road was closed and residents near the advised areas warned to prepare their family and home for flooding.

On Saturday night, the SES warned of a potential dam failure at Hope Forest, a community of about 150 people, 40 kilometres south of Adelaide, between Willunga, McLaren Vale and Kuitpo Colony.

The SES issued a watch and act warning for the town on Saturday night, with two more warnings on Sunday.

Tweet from @SA_SES

The SES said there was “a high risk of a dam failure in Hope Forest which may effect properties near the intersection of Road, Phillips Road and Verrall Road, as well as, in the vicinity of Brookman and Decaux Roads which may threaten you and your family’s safety”.

Road closures remained in place for Bevan, Verrall, Phillips, Brookman and Decaux roads on Monday.

Residents were urged to monitor weather conditions and warnings, follow emergency plans and prepare for flooding.

SES chief of staff Derren Halleday said on Sunday that both dams had been inspected by structural engineers.

“As well as the engineer reports, we have personnel physically on-site monitoring and inspecting the dams and their immediate surrounds and we are also working closely with the Department for Environment and Water,’’ he said.

“Highly trained SES remotely piloted aircraft personnel have captured drone footage of the dams which will greatly assist us in determining the best way forward.’’

Tweet from @SA_SES

Mr Halledy said recent rain had played a “contributing factor to the risk profile of both dams”.

“We encourage the regular inspection of privately owned dams and people can visit ses.sa.gov.au for information on emergency dam maintenance,’’ he said.

“As a result of the potential of flooding, SES personnel conducted a door knocks over the weekend to advise residents of the situation and provide them with information.”

This article first appeared in InDaily and is republished here with permission