With this whirlwind of Storm Daniel facts, we’ve got plenty of information to keep you busy for your upcoming quiz night. From Greece’s record-breaking rain to Libya’s tragic floods, our storm-chasing trivia will make you the star of your next pub quiz.
When Nature Plays Dice: Meet Storm Daniel
Did you know that Storm Daniel, affectionately dubbed ‘Medicane Daniel,’ was a Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone? Born from a low-pressure tantrum around Sept. 4, 2023, this storm resulted from an Omega block – a high-pressure zone playing sandwich between two low-pressure zones. By Sept. 11, Daniel might have bowed out, but its legacy was far from over.
Greece’s Rainy Record
On Sept. 5, the skies wept over the village of Zagora in Greece, pouring a staggering 1,092 millimeters of rain. The very next day, the Krafsidonas River decided to break its boundaries. The result? A major Greek motorway between Athens and Thessaloniki took a watery hit. And here’s a trivia tidbit for you: This storm was the Grecian grandmaster of devastation since records began in 1930. By Sept. 10, the storm had claimed 15 lives in Greece.
Libya’s Lament
On Sept. 10, Daniel decided to visit eastern Libya. Derna, a city already grappling with challenges, faced nature’s wrath when two dams collapsed, leading to a catastrophic flood. The aftermath? Heartbreaking 2,000 confirmed deaths. And if you thought that was the end, towns like Bayda, Susa, Omar al-Mokhtar, and Marj added to the tragic tally.
A Global Gale
While Daniel might have had its favorites, it didn’t forget Turkey, Bulgaria, and Egypt. Deaths in Turkey’s Kırklareli and Istanbul, submerged villages in Bulgaria, and a rainy rendezvous in Egypt on Sept. 11 marked its global footprint.
Libya Floods: Derna’s Dam Disaster
Now, let’s zoom into Derna’s dire straits. Those dams that burst? They were victims of the storm’s rain pressure. The aftermath was apocalyptic, with downtown Derna swept into the Mediterranean. The numbers? A staggering 11,300 people have died, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). But, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of the eastern Libyan region have their own figures, tallying at 3,922 and 3,283 deaths, respectively. Over 1,000 victims found their final resting place in mass graves.
Infrastructure Overflows
Derna’s architectural anatomy suffered a brutal blow. About 891 buildings were reduced to rubble, and the Wadi Derna River’s bridges and infrastructure were washed away. And for those thinking of venturing out, beware! Floodwaters have shifted landmines from previous conflicts. Aid? It took its time, reaching the city days after the disaster. And in a tragic twist, a Greek rescue team on route to Derna met with a fatal accident.
News Trivia Quiz Time
Now that you know all the facts about Storm Daniel and the Libya Floods, how about a news quiz?
Sources
We cross-checked our trivia facts about Storm Daniel and its mass destruction in Derna, Libya, with the world’s leading news providers.
- AP News: Satellite images show flood devastation that killed more than 11,000 in Libya
- AP News: In corrupt Libya, longtime warnings of the collapse of the Derna dams went unheeded
- Reuters: A city washed away: Harrowing scenes of the devastation in Derna
- Reuters: Libyan flood survivors weigh water shortages against landmine risk
- The Guardian: Libya floods: warlord using disaster response to exert control, say observers
- The Guardian: Greek PM under attack over handling of Storm Daniel disaster response
- The Guardian: Up to 2,000 feared drowned after Libyan city hit by ‘catastrophic’ storm floods
- The New York Times: Hundreds Reported Dead in Severe Libya Flooding
