Sheep barn washed out to sea
Damage has occurred to the seawall. mbl.is/Jónas Erlendsson
Significant damage has occurred near Vík í Mýrdal due to heavy surf during the night and morning. A sheep barn was washed out to sea, and a recently built seawall has broken apart.
“One of our sheep barns was carried away into the ocean in this tremendous surf, and rescue team members are helping us save valuables from the horse stable before it too is taken by the sea,” said farmer Árni Gunnarsson, who lives on Víkurbraut in Vík í Mýrdal, in an interview with mbl.is . The buildings are located in the horse stable district at the eastern edge of the village.
Rescue team members on site this morning. mbl.is/Jónas Erlendsson
According to Orri Örvarsson, head of the local rescue team in Vík í Mýrdal, the pounding surf has caused severe damage.
Massive Waves
“We haven’t had surf like this in a long time, and it’s unusual for this time of year. The seawall has suffered major damage, and seawater has reached both sheep barns and horse stables, with one sheep barn already gone to sea,” Örvarsson said.
He noted that a seawall built just two weeks ago has already broken apart.
“At this very moment, we’re helping people evacuate the buildings now that the sea has reached them,” Örvarsson said.
Orri Örvarsson said it is unusual to have this rough weather at this time of year. mbl.is/Jónas Erlendsson
“The wind is about ten meters per second, but the surf is incredible, and the waves are some of the highest I’ve seen in a long time,” he added. About ten rescue team members are currently on site.
When asked if more buildings are in danger, Örvarsson said that, for now, that does not appear to be the case.
