Authorities assess water damage in Siglufjörður after severe rainfall in Fjallabyggð

In Fjallabyggð, authorities are currently assessing water damage in Siglufjörður following heavy rainfall last weekend, which caused a malfunction in the town’s drainage system, resulting in water flooding numerous homes. The mayor expressed skepticism about any standard drainage system’s ability to cope with such extreme precipitation.

On August 27, 2024, Sigríður Ingvarsdóttir confirmed that insurance companies are evaluating the damage from the recent storms. While this week saw clear skies, the situation was dire over the weekend as residents worked for over 24 hours to pump water out of their properties. Emergency services assisted homeowners in 25 buildings, and it is believed that additional structures were affected as well.

The effects of the rains are visible, with signs of landslides in the nearby hills and continuing environmental damage. The Hvanneyrar River, essential to the community, swelled remarkably during the rainfall, causing substantial erosion and rockfall.

A special town council meeting was convened to address these events, with continuous discussions on improving disaster preparedness. Sigríður mentioned recent upgrades to the drainage system, including the installation of powerful pumps, which had previously functioned well. However, the unprecedented rainfall—estimated at 220 to 230 millimeters—challenged these systems, leading to equipment failure.

The hardest-hit area appears to be the Fisheries Museum, where floodwaters entered three buildings, reaching heights of up to 90 centimeters, resulting in significant damage to electricity, flooring, and exhibits. Museum director Anita Ellefsen reported concerns about the stability of the surrounding banks, which have begun to erode further, threatening the museum.

Local authorities are reviewing potential long-term solutions to prevent such crises from recurring.