Grindavík Ready For Schools And Home Buybacks

In April, the Grindavík Committee concluded that conditions were not in place for schools to reopen in the town. The assessment was met with opposition from residents, and the municipality subsequently decided to reopen schools in the autumn, after a break of almost three years.

Since then, a team of experts, government representatives and Grindavík residents have been working on a new risk assessment. Its initial findings have now been published.

The assessment concludes that permanent residence and the operation of schools in Grindavík are possible, provided the necessary safety measures are maintained. The current level of protection for residents and preparations for a possible evacuation were also deemed sufficient.

The Prime Minister’s Office and the Municipality of Grindavík held an open meeting in the town, where the findings were presented to residents.

Learning to live with the risk

Runólfur Þórhallsson, head of the Department of Civil Protection at the Office of the National Commissioner of Police, says Grindavík residents have faced an unprecedented situation.

“Grindavík residents have been through unprecedented experiences. This is a natural disaster that has been ongoing for many years,” he said.

The threat has not passed. Magma continues to accumulate beneath Svartsengi, but the new assessment allows the authorities and community to take the next steps.

“Although magma is still accumulating beneath Svartsengi, we are taking the next step and learning to live here with this risk. That is perhaps the most important change taking place now,” Runólfur said.

The new assessment takes into account a wide range of risk factors. Continued monitoring of natural hazards by the Icelandic Meteorological Office (Veðurstofa Íslands), an effective emergency response system and adequate preparations for evacuation and other emergencies are considered crucial.

We need to monitor natural hazards, and the Icelandic Meteorological Office plays a key role in that. We need an effective response system and the appropriate emergency services. I am not only talking about the police, rescue teams and fire services, but also the municipality and other bodies. We also need people who are prepared to respond, as well as good evacuation and emergency response plans. These key conditions have been met, and that is why we can now take the next step.

According to the new assessment, conditions in Grindavík are comparable to those in other communities exposed to long-term natural hazards, provided appropriate safety measures are maintained.

Grindavík nevertheless remains in an exceptional situation. The threat is ongoing and will remain so until the volcanic activity is officially declared to have ended.

Work on the comprehensive risk assessment will therefore continue, and the assessment will be updated regularly as conditions change and new information and experience become available.

Residents want to return

Pétur Markan, Mayor of Grindavík, says the publication of the new findings marks an important moment for the town.

“This is the result of thorough work by experts and residents, and a great deal of effort has gone into it. The conclusion is that it is safe to live in Grindavík, provided certain safety measures are in place. This is a robust assessment on which we can base our next steps,” he said.

The new assessment also clears the way for the next stage of the town’s recovery. The government is set to begin preparing measures that would allow Grindavík residents to buy back their homes.

Pétur says many residents want to return to the town.

That is why it is important to begin preparations for the sale of these homes quickly. We need different solutions for different groups of residents, taking their actual circumstances into account.