Libya: Casualty figures rise as response operations continue following severe weather across northeastern regions as of Sept. 13 /update 3

Event

Response operations continue across parts of northeastern Libya and casualty figures are still increasing following severe weather as of Sept. 13. A storm system named Storm Daniel struck the region Sept. 9-11, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall that has triggered widespread flooding and damage. As of Sept. 13, authorities have reported more than 5,200 fatalities and thousands of others are missing following the impacts of the storm. More than 34,000 people have been displaced across the affected region. The city of Derna has been the worst affected area; at least 2,300 of the fatalities have been reported in the city. Dams in the Derna Valley failed due to the amount of rainfall, inundating several neighborhoods in Derna and triggering mudslides. Severe damage has been caused to many parts of the city; the full impact of the storm is likely to take some time to be confirmed as response operations continue and the death toll is likely to continue to rise in the coming hours and days. Mobile communication outages have been reported in Derna and other utility disruptions are likely. A state of emergency has been declared in the city.

Other affected areas include the northeastern coastal cities of Al Bayda, Al Marj, Benghazi, and Soussa. Several roads and homes have been damaged across the region. Authorities have imposed a curfew in parts of eastern Libya and closed schools and shops. The oil ports of Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega, and Es Sidra have been closed since Sept. 9. Authorities have declared three days of national mourning from Sept. 11 due to the weather-related disaster.

Weather conditions are generally forecast to be calmer in the region over the coming days. However, lingering disruptions are likely to continue in storm-hit areas over the coming days; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of damage to facilities and some employees' inability to reach work sites.

Health
Flooding could heighten the threat of disease outbreaks. Backflow from drains mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. These stagnant pools often become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing the incidence of insect- and water-borne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat.

Advice

Monitor local media for updated emergency and weather information. Seek updated information on weather and road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas affected by severe weather. Plan accordingly for potential delivery delays if routing shipments by truck through the affected area. Reconfirm all transport arrangements.

Observe strict food and water precautions, as municipalities could issue boil water advisories following flooding events. Take precautions against insect- and waterborne diseases in the coming days. Review contingency plans and be prepared to move quickly to shelters if evacuation orders are issued. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.