An Uncertainty Phase has been declared for South East Iceland. The Commissioner of the Icelandic Police and the District Chief of Police in South Iceland have decided to declare the uncertainty phase due to heavy rain and flooding. The announcement describes the area affected to be around Hornafjörður fjord. The Ring Road has been closed at two points between Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and the town of Höfn.
As we reported earlier today the Ring Road is expected to remain closed in S.E. Iceland for 2-3 days. The bridge over Steinsvötn river east of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and also at Hólmsá river in Hornafjörður fjord. According to the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority the Ring Road will not open until Sunday.
Uncertainty phase/level is characterized by an event which has already started and could lead to a threat to people, communities or the environment. At this stage the collaboration and coordination between the Civil Protection Authorities and stakeholders begins. Monitoring, assessment, research and evaluation of the situation is increased. The event is defined and a hazard assessment is conducted regularly.
A natural catastrophe
The flooding in East and South East Iceland are caused by the second major autumn storm to hit the region. Icelandic autumn storms are frequently severe, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds. These storms can cause damages and disrupt travel plans, but Icelanders are prepared for these storms and the Ring Road is built to withstand severe weather episodes.
This storm is already one of the worst autumn storms in memory. In addition to the closing of the Ring Road the storm has caused severe hardship for farmers in East Iceland. Farmers in Fljótsdalur in East Iceland lost dozens of sheep as fields flooded and the entire fjord of Berufjörður is without power.
For a full reporting on the storm and its effects see our previous stories:
Early Wednesday morning the Ring Road in Berufjörður had been closed: Travel alert: Swelling rivers in E. Iceland due to heavy rain. Ring Road re-opened in Berufjörður
Wednesday afternoon ICE-SAR helped rescue sheep in East Iceland: Flock of lambs drowns: ICE-SAR rescues sheep in floods caused by torrential rain in E. Iceland
Later on Wednesday afternoon the Ring Road was closed in Hornafjörður fjord: Travel alert: Ring Road has been closed by Hólmsá river in S.E. Iceland
Wednesday evening it became clear the Ring Road will not be re-opened for a while: UPDATE Travel alert: Ring Road in East Iceland will remain closed due to flooding
Early Thursday morning travellers who spent the night in emergency shelters woke up to make new travel plans as the Ring Road will remain closed for 2-3 days: 60-70 travellers spent night in emergency shelters: Ring Road to remain closed in SE Iceland for 2-3 days due to floods
An Uncertainty Phase has been declared for South East Iceland. The Commissioner of the Icelandic Police and the District Chief of Police in South Iceland have decided to declare the uncertainty phase due to heavy rain and flooding. The announcement describes the area affected to be around Hornafjörður fjord. The Ring Road has been closed at two points between Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and the town of Höfn.
As we reported earlier today the Ring Road is expected to remain closed in S.E. Iceland for 2-3 days. The bridge over Steinsvötn river east of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and also at Hólmsá river in Hornafjörður fjord. According to the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority the Ring Road will not open until Sunday.
Uncertainty phase/level is characterized by an event which has already started and could lead to a threat to people, communities or the environment. At this stage the collaboration and coordination between the Civil Protection Authorities and stakeholders begins. Monitoring, assessment, research and evaluation of the situation is increased. The event is defined and a hazard assessment is conducted regularly.
A natural catastrophe
The flooding in East and South East Iceland are caused by the second major autumn storm to hit the region. Icelandic autumn storms are frequently severe, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds. These storms can cause damages and disrupt travel plans, but Icelanders are prepared for these storms and the Ring Road is built to withstand severe weather episodes.
This storm is already one of the worst autumn storms in memory. In addition to the closing of the Ring Road the storm has caused severe hardship for farmers in East Iceland. Farmers in Fljótsdalur in East Iceland lost dozens of sheep as fields flooded and the entire fjord of Berufjörður is without power.
For a full reporting on the storm and its effects see our previous stories:
Early Wednesday morning the Ring Road in Berufjörður had been closed: Travel alert: Swelling rivers in E. Iceland due to heavy rain. Ring Road re-opened in Berufjörður
Wednesday afternoon ICE-SAR helped rescue sheep in East Iceland: Flock of lambs drowns: ICE-SAR rescues sheep in floods caused by torrential rain in E. Iceland
Later on Wednesday afternoon the Ring Road was closed in Hornafjörður fjord: Travel alert: Ring Road has been closed by Hólmsá river in S.E. Iceland
Wednesday evening it became clear the Ring Road will not be re-opened for a while: UPDATE Travel alert: Ring Road in East Iceland will remain closed due to flooding
Early Thursday morning travellers who spent the night in emergency shelters woke up to make new travel plans as the Ring Road will remain closed for 2-3 days: 60-70 travellers spent night in emergency shelters: Ring Road to remain closed in SE Iceland for 2-3 days due to floods
