Worst Storm to Hit Iceland

Iceland's Worst Storm in 25 Years Causes Property Damage But No Injuries

Two boats were sunk in the Reykjavik harbor as others bobbed up and down like bath toys in the high surf from Monday's storm.(The Iceland Monitor)

Iceland saw its worst storm in 25 years Monday as a severe polar low hit the island, bringing with it rain, snow and massive wind gusts.

Wind patterns on Teusday, showing the remnants of the storm that blew through Iceland on Monday. (Screenshot from earth.nullschool.net)

The East Iceland weather station of Hallormsstaðaháls picked up a wind-speed reading of more than 160 mph, reports the Iceland Monitor. At Bolungarvík on the Westfjords peninsula, a personal weather station recordeda wind gust of 96 mph, with sustained maximum wind speeds of more than 60 mph. 

Icelandic authorities raised the country's severe-weather preparedness level to "hazard" Monday in preparation for the storm, the Iceland Monitor reports, and 700 rescue workers fielded around 350 calls Monday, and  are still working in the northern part of the country.

There were no reports of severe injuries to people as a result of the storm, said the Iceland Review, and the Iceland Department of Civil Protection in Iceland thanked the public for heeding warnings, which, it says, no doubt saved people from injuries.

But here were numerous reports of property damage.

The worst weather affected populated areas by Eyjafjöll, South Iceland, and Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands), whereseveral roofs came loose and one of them landed in the neighbor’s yard, Vísir reports.

A boat was beached against a stone wall in the harbor of Iceland's capital, torn from its mooring by the high winds and waves of Monday's storm.(The Iceland Monitor)

Two boats sank in Reykjavík Harbor, the Iceland Review reports, and a bus shelter in town was torn to pieces by the wind. In Kópavogur, near Reykjavík, a windowpane blew out of an apartment building in one piece, and many old window panes in Reykjavík shattered.

 

Domestic flights in Iceland were still grounded as of Tuesday morning, the Iceland Monitor reported. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration was still reporting numerous roads closed throughout the country due to hazardous conditions. 

http://www.weather.com/news/weather/news/iceland-storm-worst-weather-25-years