Emergency evacuation plan for Iceland’s Öræfajökull volcano published

An evacuation plan for the Öræfajökull volcano has been published by the Department of Civil Protection in Iceland in light of increased activity in recent days.

If evacuation orders are issued due to imminent eruption in the volcano, people in the area are instructed to immediately gather at three assembly points, whichever is closest: Svínafell 1, Hof 1, or Hnappavellir 2 (see map) and wait in their vehicles for further instructions.

If volcanic ash or volcanic tepra starts falling, people are instructed to seek shelter in the nearest building and follow further instructions when they are issued. See detailed emergency evacuation plan below.

Öræfajökull volcano in South-East Iceland is the country’s highest mountain, at 2,110 meters.. The volcano has erupted twice since Iceland was settled, in 1362 and 1727. The volcano has shown some signs of unrest recently, increased seismic activity, and earlier this month a new ice-cauldron measuring one kilometer in diameter formed in the glacial ice-cap over the volcano’s caldera. As of now there is no sign of imminent eruption. But in light of increased activitym the volcano is monitored closely by scientists and Icelandic authorities.

The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management in Iceland has published the following emergency evacuation plan in case an eruption:

Emergency evacuation for Öræfajökull

In the event of a volcanic eruption in Öræfajökull the aim is to have evacuated the area before an eruption starts. If an eruption starts without any warning the following emergency procedures will be followed.

Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management:

• Ensures that the 112 call centre sends the following text messages to cell phones in the area between Lómagnúpur and Jökulsárlón:
• "Emergency message from the Police. Volcanic eruption is imminent in Öræfajökull. Evacuate to Svínafell 1, Hof 1 or Hnappavellir 1, Höfn or Kirkubæjarklaustur depending on your location."
• Activate the National Crisis Coordination Centre

Police in South Iceland:

• Sends a police cruiser from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell to assist with evacuations.
• Sends a police cruiser from Höfn to Kvísker to assist with evacuations.
• Sends all available resources to assist with the evacuations.

Volunteer rsecue teams:

• ICE-SAR Kyndill at Kirkjubæjarklaustur sets up a roadblock at Lómagnúpur and assists with evacuations.
• ICE-SAR Hornafjörður sets up a roadblock at Jökulsárlón and assists with evacuations.
• ICE-SAR Kári does not have any tasks in this emergency plan.

Ambulances:

• Ambulance from Kirkjubæjarklaustur is stand-by at Hótel Núpar.
• Ambulance from Höfn is stand-by at Hrollaugsstaðir.

Red Cross:

• The chapter at Kirkjubæjarklaustur opens up a mass care centre at Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
• The chapter at Höfn opens up a mass care centre at Höfn
• Opening up mass care centres nearer to the evacuation areas will be considered.

Fire brigades:

• Are stand-by to assist in mass care centres.
• Are stand-by to assist with evacuations.

On scene command:

• On scene command at Kirkjubæjarklaustur activated.
• On scene command at Höfn activated.
• On scene command in Öræfasveit activated, location based on conditions.

Area command:

• At Dynskálar 34, Hella.

Nationa Crisis Coordination Centre:

• Rescue Centre Skógarhlíð, Skógarhlíð 14, Reykjavík.

Instructions for people who are within the evacuation area in the case of an evacuation:

• Taket he quickest route to:  Svínafell 1, Hof 1, or Hnappavellir 2

• Wait in your car for further instructions
• If volcanic ash / volcanic tephra starts falling you should seek shelter in the nearest building
• Follow further instructions when they are issued