Storm Daniel facts for kids
Storm Daniel over the Mediterranean on 9 September 2023
|
|
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 4 September 2023 |
| Dissipated | 12 September 2023 |
| Unknown strength tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (EUMETSAT) | |
| Highest winds | 85 km/h (50 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 11,327+ (confirmed) 18,000–20,000 (estimated) |
| Injuries | 7,000+ |
| Missing | 10,000–100,000+ (estimated) |
| Damage | >€2,000,000,000 (US$2.14 billion in 2023) |
| Areas affected | Libya, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Egypt, Israel |
|
Part of the 2022–23 European windstorm season |
|
Storm Daniel, also known as Cyclone Daniel, was a very powerful and deadly storm. It was the worst Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone ever recorded. It was also the deadliest cyclone worldwide since Cyclone Nargis in 2008. Storm Daniel was also the deadliest weather event of 2023 so far.
The storm started as a low-pressure system around September 4, 2023. It brought heavy rain and floods to Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Then, it became stronger and moved towards the coast of Libya. There, it caused terrible floods. The storm happened because of a special weather pattern called an "omega block". This is when a high-pressure area gets stuck between two low-pressure areas, making a shape like the Greek letter Ω.
In Greece, Storm Daniel was the worst storm in their history. It caused over 2 billion euros in damage due to severe flooding. Libya was hit the hardest. Two dams near the city of Derna broke because of the heavy rain. This led to thousands of deaths. Many people, possibly tens of thousands, went missing. Libya was especially vulnerable because past problems had damaged its important buildings and systems. After the storm, many countries around the Mediterranean Sea promised to help the affected areas.
How Storm Daniel Formed
A low-pressure area began to form over the Ionian Sea. The water there was warm enough for a storm to grow. On September 4, 2023, this system moved south over the Balkan Peninsula. It caused very heavy rains, especially in the Thessaly region of Greece.
The next day, the system became a mediterranean cyclone over the Ionian Sea. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service officially named it Storm Daniel. Over the next few days, the storm moved southeast. It became a strong subtropical storm with winds reaching about 45 knots (about 83 kilometers per hour).
The storm then reached land near the city of Benghazi in Libya. On September 10, 2023, Daniel moved further inland. It started to weaken because of dry air and being over land. By September 12, 2023, the storm had completely disappeared.
Impact of the Storm
| Country | Deaths |
|---|---|
| Greece | 16 |
| Turkey | 7 |
| Bulgaria | 4 |
| Libya | 11,300 |
Storm Daniel caused a lot of damage and sadly, many deaths. The table on the right shows the number of confirmed deaths in different countries.
Greece suffered greatly from the floods. Homes, roads, and farms were damaged. The total cost of damage in Greece was more than 2 billion euros.
Libya was hit the hardest. The heavy rains caused two dams near the city of Derna to break. This sent huge amounts of water rushing through the city. Many buildings were destroyed, and thousands of people died. Many more were reported missing. The country's infrastructure, like roads and buildings, was already weak from past conflicts. This made the disaster even worse.
After the storm, many countries offered help to Libya, Greece, and other affected areas. They sent aid, supplies, and rescue teams to help those who were impacted.
See also
In Spanish: Tormenta Daniel para niños
- Weather of 2023
- Tropical cyclones in 2023
