Clean up begins in South Australia as storms ease

South Australia is mopping up and counting the costs in the aftermath of the state's devastating storms.

Over the past week the state has been battered by storms that cut power across the state, flooded homes, ruined farms, and damaged roads and other infrastructure.

Emergency Services Minister Peter Malinauskas says the damage bill will be substantial.

A total figure is still a while away but a preliminary estimation for crop damage alone was $30-$40 million.

But a major clean-up job looms across the mid north and the Adelaide Hills, the areas hardest hit by flooding.

The cost to businesses will also be significant with companies like BHP Billiton and Arrium halting operations during the power outage.

The SA government has also announced an independent inquiry into the storms and the state's readiness for and response to the blackout.

Fine weather is expected in SA for the rest of the week so emergency crews and volunteers will receive a well-earned rest.