Strong winds caused significant disruption to Þjóðhátíð festival in the Westman Islands last night, forcing organisers to cancel several events and evacuate parts of the grounds for safety.
Jónas Guðbjörn Jónsson, chairman of the National Festival Committee, told Vísir that the weather was “considerably worse than the forecast said.”
Shortly after midnight, gusts tore across Heimaey island, toppling several white tents and lifting the beer tent entirely.
“There was a little bang there for a moment and a few white tents were blown over. We were thinking about taking down the beer tent, but then it just blew away,” Jónas told the news agency.
Contingency plans in place
According to reports, festival staff responded swiftly to the deteriorating conditions, enacting contingency plans and opening Herjólfshöllin sports complex to shelter large crowds. Transport tolls were also waived temporarily to help people return safely.
One of the bigger events cancelled was the bonfire lighting, and the large dance tent was also lowered as a precaution. In fact, all events were paused except for those on the main stage, which continued as scheduled.
Organisers are currently assessing damage. Tent owners have been asked to visit the site to inspect their property. Thankfully, the weather forecast for the remainder of the festival is far calmer, offering hope for a smoother weekend.
