Roof sheets come loose as storm hits Vestmannaeyjar

Rescue crews were called out after roof sheets began coming loose from houses in Vestmannaeyjar, mbl.is reported. The Vestmannaeyjar rescue team was dispatched shortly before 8 a.m., according to Jón Þór Víglundsson, an information officer for Landsbjörg.

Winds in the island community were very strong. At 7 a.m., wind speeds at Stórhöfði measured 42 metres per second, with gusts reaching 50 metres per second.

Víglundsson said it was the first rescue-team callout of the morning as a very deep, tight low-pressure system moved across the country. Checkpoints had also been staffed at Markarfljót and Vík, and winds were strong beneath Eyjafjöll. “We are on our toes and ready to respond to what lies ahead,” he said.