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National

Flood emergency declaration lifted after outback deluges, but road and rail repairs continue

Parts of SA received record rainfalls during the deluges.

A major emergency declaration for flooded areas in South Australia has been rescinded, more than a fortnight after heavy rain began to inundate parts of the outback.

SA Police and the state government said conditions in the state's north had sufficiently improved, allowing them to lift the declaration.

The emergency was declared 12 days ago, amid extreme weather driven by ex-Tropical Cyclone Tiffany.

Heavy rain between January 21 and February 2 inundated the far north, Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula and upper Spencer Gulf.

The Stuart Highway reopened to traffic over the weekend, but restrictions remain in place.

Repairs and clean-up work are expected to continue for weeks, with a huge effort underway to fix the rail line connecting SA with Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

The line has been closed since January 21, and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has said services are now expected resume on February 15.

ARTC said more than 50,000 tonnes of ballast and rock were being used to repair damage at 18 sites.

Heavy machinery working to fix the Adelaide to Tarcoola rail line.  (Supplied: ARTC)

Large stretches of road and dirt track in the SA's far north, north-east and northern Eyre Peninsula remain closed.

"Departments responsible for road maintenance are finalising a road repair prioritisation list for tens of thousands of kilometres of sealed, unsealed, access and private roads," Premier Steven Marshall said.

"Repairs to the Marla to Oodnadatta Road are progressing.

"A staged re-opening of Stuart Highway continues."

One lane of the highway is currently open to trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles, with a speed limit of 20 kilometres per hour in place.

The Stuart Highway has reopened, but restrictions remain. (Supplied: Richard Patridge)
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