The Port Lincoln tip has been opened so people can throw out food that's gone off while phone and internet coverage is intermittent as a blackout in the South Australian city continues.
The Eyre Peninsula regional centre of about 16,000 people has been without power since Wednesday night, when fierce storms knocked out transmission lines and caused a statewide blackout.
Port Lincoln Mayor Bruce Green says the city is doing it tough and they don't know when the lights would come back on.
"Virtually the whole town is shut down," he told AAP on Friday.
"Most of the businesses have sent people home and they haven't worked for a couple of days.
"We're opening the dump and allowing people to get rid of their food that's been rotting in their refrigerators.
"It's not a great situation for the community to be in."
He said one of the toughest problems was communication as mobile phone coverage was patchy and internet cover was scarce.
"So people are feeling a little isolated," Mr Green said.
"We've become so reliant on being able to talk to mum or your cousin or spouse and say, 'Where are you? Do you need anything?
"Not being able to do that is really challenging. Checking on mum is impossible when the phones don't work."
Mr Green said a care and comfort station had been opened for those doing it the toughest with no lights, heaters and in some cases, running water.
At last count it was catering for up to 100 people.
"So that the frail and the vulnerable have somewhere to go if they need some warmth, some food or even a wash," the mayor said.
Hospitals are running on backup generators but some supermarkets are closed or on reduced opening hours.
SA Premier Jay Weatherill visited the city on Friday as state cabinet members hit the ground to meet with those worst affected by the wild weather and power outages.
Transmission company ElectraNet said it was hopeful of having service restored by the weekend.
