Episode 9, 22 December 1979
Analysis
Description
Meteorological background
Before the flood, a series of weak low-pressure systems influenced the Adriatic. The decisive cyclone formed near the Atlas Mountains, deepened, and moved northeast, reaching the western Mediterranean on 21 December. It intensified further, with central air pressure dropping to 985 hPa, and advanced toward Corsica, generating SE winds over the Adriatic that strengthened to gale force by 22 December. By 23 December, as the cyclone moved northeast, the SE winds persisted but gradually weakened.
Sea-level evolution
On 22 December 1979, at 09:00 UTC, the sea level in Bakar rose to 97 cm above the long-term average. Tide (semidiurnal spring tide) contributed 20 cm to the peak. Several disturbances in the weeks prior caused ~21.5-h seiches, which dissipated before the decisive cyclone affected the Adriatic. Therefore, synoptic component was primarily due to a storm surge, driven by air-pressure gradient and strong Sirocco accumulating water in the closed end of the Adriatic. The overall sea-level maximum occurred when storm surge was 61 cm high.
The remaining sea-level rise resulted from processes acting on other time scales (refer to Figure 1 in the Introduction for detailed explanations). Local processes contributed 1 cm, long-period sea-level variability added 7 cm, and mean sea-level changes added 8 cm.
In summary, this flood resulted from an exceptionally high storm surge superimposed on smaller positive contributions from other processes.
Newspaper reports
Here are excerpts from reports about the flood from Novi list and Slobodna Dalmacija.
Novi list, 24 December 1979
THE SIROCCO DEVASTATED ISTRIA AND KVARNER
Susak: A breakwater was completely demolished
Yesterday was one of the darkest days in Susak, when a hurricane-like Sirocco ravaged the harbor and the islanders’ property all morning. There were echoes of a similar incident in 1966, but this time the consequences were much worse. Chaos broke out at 8 a.m. as boats began to sink and the breakwater collapsed. Attempts to salvage property were in vain and local residents were helpless against the fury of nature. The sea calmed in the afternoon, but Susak lay in ruins and residents wondered what would happen next. Today, community organizations gathered to organize the clean-up, with young people tasked with transporting relief supplies. Authorities have been alerted to the dire situation, but residents fear further storms could isolate them.
Novi list, 24 December 1979
THE SIROCCO DEVASTATED ISTRIA AND KVARNER
Rovinj: The lighthouse became a ship in the storm
In the open sea off Rovinj, the St. Ivan lighthouse stands on a high rock – an island. On Saturday, the lighthouse keepers who live on the lighthouse experienced the most difficult moments of their lives. Unprecedented waves and wind literally swept everything off the island that was out in the open. What little soil the lighthouse keepers had brought from the land to their garden over the years was washed away by the sea. The chickens and the inventory outside were lost forever. The lighthouse crane was damaged and put out of action, and the boat that connects the lighthouse crew to the mainland was washed away from the plateau by the sea. The sea also flooded part of the residential areas around the lighthouse. The only connection the residents of the lighthouse had was a radio station. On Sunday, members of the border police went to the lighthouse in a speedboat and were the first to come to the aid of the victims. The lighthouse keepers told us that they thought they were finished. The whole lighthouse shook, everything creaked and the waves rolled over the island, pushing the sea through every crack. Today, as the stingy sun peeked out, you could only guess at the damage.
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Slobodna Dalmacija, 24 December 1979
SEVERE STORM DAMAGE IN CENTRAL DALMATIA
The effects of the hurricane-like Sirocco
The hurricane-like Sirocco caused an almost complete interruption of maritime traffic, brought traffic on the Adriatic highway to a standstill and caused considerable damage to property. After the heavy rains of the past two days, water entered the railroad tunnel and train traffic between PregraÄe and Split was interrupted. There was major damage to power and telephone lines, and the interruption of power lines in the direction of Brodarica was caused by a small forest fire near Ražin. Many parts of Zadar were temporarily without electricity, while Starigrad, Filip-Jakov, PakoÅ”tane, Novigrad and part of the island of Ugljan remained without telephone lines. The greatest damage occurred in the fish canning factory “MardeÅ”iÄ”, where the sea entered the warehouses.