Cleanup efforts are underway in Siglufjörður, Northeast Iceland, after torrential rain hit the town on Friday, RÚV reports.
The town’s sewer system, clogged with gravel and mud, needs cleaning up. The river Hvanneyrará flooded on Friday afternoon, tearing some roads and clogging gutters. Damage to property is believed to be substantial. Since this kind of flooding is highly unusual, it appears that the Icelandic Catostrophe fund will cover the damages. Representatives from the fund visited the town on Friday. Their visit was followed by that of Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson yesterday.
The road to Siglufjörður remains closed west of Strákagöng tunnel, according to Vísir. Mudslides fell on both sides of the Strákagöng tunnel, leading into town. Mayor Birgir Ingimarsson says the town’s sewer system needs improvement. “It simply becomes obvious on days like this one that the sewer system under the street can’t handle this, and I hope a proper system will be designed.”
The rain caused much disruption in people’s daily lives, filling streets with mud and flooding basements. Birgir extends his gratitude to the Siglufjörður fire department and to the Strákar rescue team for their outstanding work. “While we were trying to prevent further damage, they helped people pump out their houses and such. That was very good.”
Guðni Þór Sverrison, who has lived in Siglufjörður for 60 years describes the rain to RÚV as one of the heaviest he has ever seen.
