In response to the winter weather conditions, the Red Cross in Iceland, in cooperation with several other organizations, has opened six shelters since the weekend.
The shelters can be found in Þorlákshöfn, Kjalarnes, Selfoss, Grindavík, and Reykjanesbær. Additionally, another shelter is being opened in Hella, a small town on Iceland’s South Coast.
The recent cold snap has disrupted traffic across the nation, leaving some travelers stranded, whether due to road closures, flight delays, or other reasons.
A stuck school bus in Þorlákshöfn required using the elementary school there as a temporary shelter, and there are also reports of many travelers with disrupted plans needing to take temporary shelter at tourist destinations like the Blue Lagoon.
Some 1,000 individuals are reported as having used the Grindavík shelter.
In their official statement, the Red Cross wished to “thank our volunteers and staff very much for the quick response to these difficult circumstances.” The Red Cross also encourage people to stay at home until conditions improve. Check the Icelandic Meteorological Office for information on weather warnings and travel advisories.
The official statement from the Red Cross in Iceland can be found below.
