Mediterranean Storm Daniel wreaked havoc in Libya on Sunday, leaving extensive flooding and wreckage in its wake after the Libyan government had issued its highest alert before the storm, reported Intellinews.
A large producer of oil, Libya closed the oil ports of Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega, and Es Sidra for at least three days, according to a senior official at The state-owned National Oil Corp. (NOC).
The NOC also directed all associated operations to limit movements outside of oil installations and suspend flights between oil fields.
The NOC intended to protect industrial buildings, manufacturing lines, storage units, and other important infrastructure from potential flood damage. Contingency procedures included evacuating employees and equipment from at risk facilities.
The Arab Regional Weather Center projected the storm’s progress, noting its arrival on Libya’s north-eastern shores near Benghazi and warning about the potential consequences for Benghazi, Al-Marj, Al-Bayda, Shahat, Derna, and Tobruk. The Center estimated high-speed winds ranging from 120 km/h to 180 km/h, along with “50-250 mm” of rainfall.
Benghazi took the brunt of the storm, with buildings having been destroyed and fallen trees causing significant property damage.
Storm Daniel, which had earlier pounded Greece and Turkey, had been weakened to a subtropical storm by Saturday. Despite its lesser intensity, it nonetheless left serious damage.