Police in South Iceland have closed a second stretch of the Ring Road in S.E. Iceland. Earlier this morning it was discovered that the torrential rains which have caused flooding in rivers in South East and East Iceland, had undermined the bridge over Steinavöð river in Suðursveit district, east of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. The bridge is not considered safe. Repairs cannot take place until the flooding subsides.
Extensive damages to the Ring Road
According to the local news site Vísir a team of engineers from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority is currently being flown by the Coast Guard to the area to inspect the damages. A Chief Superintendent with the Police in South Iceland told Vísir that the authorities should be able to determine later this afternoon when the road can be re-opened to traffic.
The torrential rains and flooding in South East and East Iceland have continued today. Flooding rivers in the region have shown little signs of subsiding. The flooding has damaged roads and undermined bridges. Yesterday the Ring Road was closed between Hólmsá river and the farm Flatey in Hornafjörður fjord in S.E. Iceland.
The rain is expected to continue today, but slow down by late afternoon or evening. However, the rain is expected to pick up again tomorrow morning.
Road likely to remain closed for remainder of week
Police in South Iceland and the IRCA had previously said they do not expect the stretch of the Ring Road which was closed yesterday will remain closed for the next 2-3 days, as the flooding has breached the road in at least three spots, washing away huge sections of the road shoulder in other parts. The condition of the bridge over Hólmsá river is also unknown.
It is thus clear that the Ring Road will remain closed in South East Iceland for the remainder of the week.
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
Police in South Iceland have closed a second stretch of the Ring Road in S.E. Iceland. Earlier this morning it was discovered that the torrential rains which have caused flooding in rivers in South East and East Iceland, had undermined the bridge over Steinavöð river in Suðursveit district, east of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. The bridge is not considered safe. Repairs cannot take place until the flooding subsides.
Extensive damages to the Ring Road
According to the local news site Vísir a team of engineers from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority is currently being flown by the Coast Guard to the area to inspect the damages. A Chief Superintendent with the Police in South Iceland told Vísir that the authorities should be able to determine later this afternoon when the road can be re-opened to traffic.
The torrential rains and flooding in South East and East Iceland have continued today. Flooding rivers in the region have shown little signs of subsiding. The flooding has damaged roads and undermined bridges. Yesterday the Ring Road was closed between Hólmsá river and the farm Flatey in Hornafjörður fjord in S.E. Iceland.
The rain is expected to continue today, but slow down by late afternoon or evening. However, the rain is expected to pick up again tomorrow morning.
Road likely to remain closed for remainder of week
Police in South Iceland and the IRCA had previously said they do not expect the stretch of the Ring Road which was closed yesterday will remain closed for the next 2-3 days, as the flooding has breached the road in at least three spots, washing away huge sections of the road shoulder in other parts. The condition of the bridge over Hólmsá river is also unknown.
It is thus clear that the Ring Road will remain closed in South East Iceland for the remainder of the week.
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
