26 August 2025Sheep barn was washed away by the surf and vanished into the sea
Sheep barn was washed away by the surf and vanished into the sea
A sheep barn east of the village of Vík í Mýrdal was swept out to sea this morning due to heavy surf pounding the southern coast of Iceland. The local search and rescue team, Víkverji, is now working to salvage valuables from nearby stables in the area. A spring tide occurred last night as unusually high waves from the southeast, for this time of year, struck the south coast, sending large amounts of seawater inland.
The sheep barn that was destroyed stood east of the designated protective sea wall. Years ago, a decision was made to safeguard the village of Vík itself against coastal erosion and storm surges, while leaving the area to the east outside the line of protection. At the time, it was acknowledged that buildings and structures beyond the barrier would not be defended, and that eventually the sea was likely to claim them. Yesterday’s events now appear to confirm those warnings, as the powerful surf breached the unprotected area and swept the barn away.
Wave heights along the coast are now beginning to subside, and the surf is easing. Current wave conditions can be monitored at Waves.is, which provides both forecasts and data from wave buoys.
Neither people nor livestock are believed to be in danger.
Hesthús á svæðinu
Mikið brim var í nótt og morgun.
Ölduhæðin var óvenjuhá miðað við árstíma.
Hesthúsin fóru ekki varhluta af briminu.
Hvorki fólk né skepnur ættu að vera í hættu.
Mikill sjór gekk á land.