Storm Daniel leads to extreme rain and floods in Mediterranean, heavy loss of life in Libya

Press release

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Storm Daniel leads to extreme rain and floods in Mediterranean, heavy loss of life in Libya

Description

Press release from WMO

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Torrential rains of between 150 - 240 mm caused flash floods in several cities, including Al-Bayda, which recorded the highest daily rainfall rate of 414.1 mm (from 10 Sep 8am to 11 Sep 8am). The National Meteorological Centre said this was a new rainfall record.

Up to 10,000 people are reported missing according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Storm Daniel developed in Greece and was named by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service. As it moved towards Libya, Storm Daniel developed the characteristics of a Medicane - MEDIterranean hurriCANE.

Extreme rainfall from a storm system called Storm Daniel has hit parts of the central and eastern Mediterranean, leading to devastating flooding and loss of life in Libya.

The National Meteorological Centre issued early warnings for this extreme weather event 72 hours before its occurrence, and notified all governmental authorities urging to take preventive measures. A State of Emergency was announced in the eastern regions based on these warnings.

Storm Daniel also caused record-breaking rainfall in Greece on 5-6 September, with a reported 750 mm falling in 24 hours at a station in the village of Zagora. This is the equivalent of about 18 months of rainfall.

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The Libyan Meteorological Service said entire neighborhoods of the town of Derna had disappeared, along with their residents swept away by water after two aging dams collapsed, making the situation catastrophic and out of control.

Libya’s National Meteorological Centre said that the storm reached a peak in northeastern Libya on 10 September, with strong winds of 70 - 80 km/h. This caused communications interruption, the fall of electricity towers and trees.

Date

09

Month

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12

Day

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2023

Year

12

:

00

am

Publisher

World Meteorological Organization

Topics

Natural disasters

Eastern Libya floods

Web URL

https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/storm-daniel-leads-extreme-rain-and-floods-mediterranean-heavy-loss-of-life-libya

Referenced by

Eastern Libya floods

News

Up to 10,000 people are reported missing according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

News

Extreme rainfall from a storm system called Storm Daniel has hit parts of the central and eastern Mediterranean, leading to devastating flooding and loss of life in Libya.

News