Houses Evacuated in West Fjords
From Flateyri. The picture was taken in January. Photo/Óttar Guðjónsson
Due to a high risk of avalanches in the West Fjords, several residential houses in Flateyri and Patreksfjörður have been evacuated, as well as some industrial buildings in Ísafjörður, mbl.is reports.
There has been severe weather in the area since yesterday - a northern blizzard with considerable snowfall. An orange weather alert remains in effect there until 8 pm tonight.
There is blowing snow, poor visibility and dangerous road conditions. No travel is advised.
A yellow weather alert has been issued for the area tonight and into the morning hours.
The Icelandic Coast Guard ship Týr has arrived in Flateyri, and is on stand-by, should its services be needed. There are signs that an avalanche fell into Súgandafjörður fjord overnight, but no tsunami ensued.
For Breiðafjörður and Northeast Iceland, a yellow weather alert has been issued for the late evening hours. Snow and blowing snow is expected, resulting in poor driving conditions and possible road closures.
For the latest on weather, visit en.vedur.is.
The Icelandic Met Office monitors the West Fjords closely, due to the risk of avalanches, in cooperation with the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management.
