The Alarming Surge: 10 Countries and Territories Ravaged by Devastating Floods – A Glimpse into Our Climate Change Crisis?
September witnessed a series of devastating natural disasters across ten countries and territories in just 12 days From a powerful typhoon wreaking havoc in Hong Kong to catastrophic floods in Libya claiming thousands of lives, these events raise concerns about the future impact of climate change
In September, a typhoon devastated Hong Kong, causing widespread damage with uprooted trees and citywide flooding. This was the initial occurrence in a series of extreme weather events that have impacted ten countries and territories within a span of 12 days. Among these incidents, the floods in Libya have been the most devastating, resulting in over 11,000 reported deaths according to the UN, with many more individuals still unaccounted for.
With the climate crisis intensifying, scientists caution that such extreme weather phenomena, affecting nations globally, may become more frequent. Consequently, there is a mounting urgency for governments to prioritize preparation and adaptation measures.
"According to Jung-Eun Chu, an atmospheric and climate scientist at the City University of Hong Kong, global warming alters the characteristics of precipitation, encompassing changes in frequency, intensity, and duration. However, Chu also acknowledged that the recent devastation witnessed during this summer resulted from a combination of various factors, including natural climate fluctuations."
People walk past houses destroyed by heavy rain and flooding in Derna, Libya, on September 13, 2023.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
The toll from the floods emphasizes the pressing requirement for governments to prepare for this emerging reality, particularly considering that conflict-ridden and impoverished nations are often the most vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
According to Chu, governments should be proactive and contemplate the unprecedented nature of these extreme events, as they have not encountered them in the past.
One of the worst storms in Europe
Storm Daniel Ravages Mediterranean with Rare "Medicane" CharacteristicsIn the past month, extensive parts of the Mediterranean region have been battered by Storm Daniel, a consequence of an extremely potent low-pressure system that transformed into a unique type of storm known as a "medicane." These relatively uncommon meteorological phenomena possess striking similarities to hurricanes and typhoons, consequently posing the risk of hazardous precipitation and widespread flooding.
The storm that emerged on September 5th initially impacted Greece, unleashing an unprecedented volume of rainfall exceeding the annual average. Streets transformed into treacherous waterways, engulfing entire villages and necessitating the deployment of emergency responders on inflatable boats to evacuate families from their inundated residences.
A man carries a girl and a dog in the flooded village of Palamas in central Greece on September 8, 2023.
Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty Images
At least 15 individuals have lost their lives, as stated by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who referred to it as "one of the most formidable storms to ever impact Europe."
Greek environment minister Theodoros Skylakakis informed CNN on Tuesday that the floods, which ensued after the destructive wildfires in the nation, "bear the hallmarks of climate change."
"We have had the warmest summer on record. The sea was very warm, which lead to this unique meteorological event," he said.
A flooded area is seen in the aftermath of Storm Daniel in Megala Kalyvia, Greece, on September 9, 2023.
Giannis Floulis/Reuters
Turkey also experienced the impact, with at least seven deaths recorded. Residents in forested regions were forced to navigate knee-high water in the midst of fallen trees. Additionally, parts of Istanbul, the largest city in the country, were hit by fatal flash floods, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals.
Similarly, Bulgaria, located north of Greece, was hit by severe flooding, which led to the confirmation of four fatalities.
Elsewhere in Europe, a separate storm - Storm Dana - saw torrential rain across Spain, damaging homes and killing at least three people.
Devastation in Libya
The impact of Storm Daniel was most severe in Libya, as it traversed the Mediterranean and intensified by the unusually warm waters, resulting in torrential rain in the northeastern part of the country. The catastrophic precipitation led to the destruction of two dams, leading to a 7-meter (23-foot) wave, confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This wave surged towards the coastal city of Derna, causing the obliteration of entire neighborhoods and sweeping away homes into the ocean.
According to the UN, the death toll from the disaster exceeds 11,000 and an additional 10,000 individuals are still unaccounted for. Many are presumed to have been either washed away by the sea or buried under the rubble. The nation is in shock, and search and rescue efforts are becoming increasingly desperate. Experts assert that the magnitude of the catastrophe has been amplified due to a combination of factors, including deteriorating infrastructure, insufficient early warnings, and the exacerbating effects of the rapidly worsening climate crisis.
"This is a tragedy in which climate and capacity has collided to cause this terrible, terrible tragedy," said UN aid chief Martin Griffiths on Friday.
A satellite image shows the town of Derna in the aftermath of the floods in eastern Libya on Wednesday.
Maxar Technologies/Reuters
Africa's most devastating flood disaster was triggered by a fatal combination of aging dams and ignored warnings. For close to ten years, Libya has been plagued by a civil war and political stalemate that led to a country divided between two competing administrations since 2014. The international community refuses to acknowledge one of these administrations, which happens to hold power over the region where Derna is situated.
Experts say that the fragmented state of the North African country has left it ill-prepared for the flooding, potentially hindering the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid. Ciaran Donnelly, the Senior Vice President for Crisis Response, Recovery, and Development at the International Rescue Committee, highlighted that the prolonged conflict and instability in Libya, exacerbated by the effects of climate change, have caused a continuous deterioration of the situation.
"Globally, the frequency and intensity of these extreme weather events has increased due to climate change, placing additional challenges on communities in conflict-affected regions to manage and rebuild," he added.
A rescuer from the United Arab Emirates uses a dog to look for human remains in a destroyed building in Derna, Libya, on September 16.
Amr Alfiky/Reuters
An aerial view shows the destruction in the aftermath of the floods in Derna on September 16.
Ayman Al-sahili/Reuters
Volunteers carry a body to a truck in Derna on September 16.
Zohra Bensemra/Reuters
A car upturned by floodwater inside a shop in Derna on September 16.
Zohra Bensemra/Reuters
A man walks by the graves of flood victims in Derna on Friday, September 15.
Yousef Murad/AP
People line up to receive food aid on September 15.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
An aerial view of the devastation after flooding caused by Storm Daniel on September 15.
Muhammad J. Elalwany/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A mosque stands amid damaged buildings on Thursday, September 14.
Abdullah Doma/AFP/Getty Images
A man carries a child on his shoulder as he walks past a flood-damaged area in Derna on September 14.
Abdullah Doma/AFP/Getty Images
Toys are scattered outside a damaged house on September 14.
Yousef Murad/AP
People look at damaged areas of Derna on September 14.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
People carry some of their belongings as they walk along a muddy street on September 14.
Abdullah Doma/AFP/Getty Images
Bodies of flooding victims are transported in Derna on Wednesday, September 13.
Yousef Murad/AP
A search-and-rescue team from the Egyptian army looks at damaged cars in Derna on September 13.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
A body is carried away in Derna on September 13.
Ahmed Elumami/Reuters
People search for survivors in Derna on September 13.
Yousef Murad/AP
Buildings are damaged in Derna on September 13.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
Rescuers inspect damaged areas in Derna on September 13.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
People walk between the rubble in Derna on September 13.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
An overhead view of the flood damage in Derna on September 13.
Muhammad J. Elalwany/AP
Members of the Libyan Red Crescent walk in Derna on September 13.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
Workers bury the bodies of flood victims in Derna on September 13.
Yousef Murad/AP
An aerial view of Derna on Tuesday, September 12.
Jamal Alkomaty/AP
A road is collapsed in Derna on September 12.
Jamal Alkomaty/AP
A man sits amid flood debris in Derna on September 12.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
A damaged vehicle is partially buried in Derna on September 12.
Abdullah Mohammed Bonja/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
People cover the body of a victim in Derna on September 12.
Abdullah Mohammed Bonja/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
This satellite photo shows the extent of Derna's flooding on September 12.
Planet Labs PBC/AP
People stand on a damaged road in Shahhat, Libya, on Monday, September 11.
Omar Jarhman/Reuters
People make their way through a damaged area of Derna on September 11.
AFP/Getty Images
Toys are strewn across the ground at a damaged store in Derna on September 11.
AFP/Getty Images
Floodwaters cover Shahhat on September 11.
Ali Al-Saadi/Reuters
Overturned cars are piled in a street in Derna on September 11.
AFP/Getty Images
The body of a flood victim lies in the back of a pickup truck in Derna on September 11.
AFP/Getty Images
A seaside road is collapsed in Derna on September 11.
Libyab government/Handout/AP
In photos: Catastrophic flooding devastates eastern Libya
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Asias dueling typhoons
Asia experienced smaller scale of devastation and loss of human life compared to other regions, but still had to confront deadly and unprecedented storms. The self-governing island of Taiwan, the city of Hong Kong, and various parts of southern China, including Shenzhen, suffered extensive damage from two consecutive typhoons, Saola and Haikui, which occurred in the first week of September.
Hong Kong schools and businesses were forced to shut down for two days due to Typhoon Saola. However, the true extent of the damage occurred a week later when the city was hit by a sudden storm. This storm caused flash flooding, resulting in metro stations being submerged and rivers trapping vehicles on roads. Hong Kong authorities reported that this storm brought the highest hourly rainfall on record since 1884.
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In Taiwan, Typhoon Haikui caused power outages in tens of thousands of homes and led to the evacuation of over 7,000 residents.
According to Chu, the dual typhoons were an "exceptional case" that set the stage for an unusually severe storm the following week. These typhoons brought two sluggish air masses, laden with moisture and moving in opposite directions, resulting in a collision that unleashed heavy rainfall over Hong Kong.
She stated that the occurrence of severe precipitation is not solely attributed to a single typhoon. Furthermore, although the convergence of typhoons was considered coincidental, it is important to note that human-induced global warming contributes to the intensification of storms.
In relation to this, she explained that as the climate warms and the ocean's surface temperature rises, the atmosphere has the capacity to retain more moisture. She highlighted that for every one degree Celsius increase in temperature, the atmosphere can hold an additional 7% of moisture.
Heavy rain in the Americas
The history of hourly rainfall records in Hong Kong was brought up by her. In previous times, there used to be several decades between instances of record-breaking rainfall events, as noted by Chu. However, the intervals between these records are now rapidly shrinking. With the warming of our planet, extreme weather occurrences that were once considered rare are now happening more frequently.In addition, Brazil experienced significant flooding and heavy rainfall in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, resulting in over 30 fatalities last week. This event is reported to be the most severe natural disaster the state has encountered in the past four decades, as stated by CNN's regional affiliate, CNN Brasil. Meteorologist Maria Clara Sassaki informed CNN Brasil that the state received an unprecedented amount of rainfall within just a week, equivalent to the average rainfall anticipated for the entire month of September.
On September 3, 2023, individuals gather by Highway 34 near the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada, eagerly awaiting a shuttle bus that will transport them to Gerlach and Reno.
Jason Bean/Reno Gazette Journal/USA Today Network
More than 70,000 Burning Man festival attendees remain stuck in Nevada desert after rain
In the United States, the Burning Man festival gained global attention when a torrential rainstorm pounded the area, leaving tens of thousands of attendees stranded in the Nevada desert. They were urged to conserve food and water as the remote region experienced an unprecedented 0.8 inches of rainfall within a span of 24 hours, double the usual amount for September.
Massachusetts has experienced extensive devastation as a result of flooding, causing severe harm to numerous residences, establishments, and critical structures such as bridges, dams, and railways. Over the course of the past two weeks, weather service data reveals that rainfall levels in certain areas of Massachusetts and New Hampshire have surpassed normal volumes by an astounding 300%.
Drivers tried to cross a flooded street Monday in Leominster, Massachusetts, on September 11, 2023.
Rick Cinclair/Worcester Telegram & Gazette/AP
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, over the past 50 years, more than 90% of global warming has occurred in the oceans, resulting in record-high ocean temperatures. This has contributed to an exceptionally active Atlantic hurricane season that shows no signs of abating.
According to Phil Klotzbach from Colorado State University, in a typical El Niño year, more storms can form compared to normal. Even if these storms weaken due to changes in wind, they can re-strengthen when they encounter more favorable conditions. Multiple CNN reporters, including Taylor Ward, Sana Noor Haq, Celine Alkhaldi, Eyad Kourdi, Hamdi Alkhshali, Mostafa Salem, Kareem El Damanhoury, Nadeen Ebrahim, Laura Paddison, Chris Liakos, Christian Edwards, Louise McLoughlin, Brandon Miller, Elizabeth Wolfe, and Mary Gilbert, contributed to this report.
