Heavy Rains Cause Flash Floods in Southern Israel, Disrupting Travel

By מאיה כהן, אסף קמר, אילנה קוריאל

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

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Hebrew · 10 newsrooms covering

Heavy rains caused widespread flash floods in southern Israel on Tuesday, leading to numerous road closures, particularly around Eilat and along Highway 90. Police and rescue teams worked to extricate stranded individuals and vehicles. While the south experienced severe flooding, many Israelis used the election day holiday to visit parks and beaches, balancing voting with leisure activities. The weather forecast predicts continued, though weakening, rain and thunderstorms in some areas, with cooler temperatures expected later in the week.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Heavy rains caused flash floods in southern Israel, blocking major roads and requiring rescue operations.
Police urged the public to avoid flooded areas and adhere to instructions amid complex rescue efforts.
Many Israelis spent election day visiting nature reserves and beaches, combining voting with leisure.
Some Israelis utilized AI chatbots to assist in their voting decisions.
The weather forecast indicated continued rain and thunderstorms, with a cooling trend later in the week.

Heavy Rains Cause Flash Floods in Southern Israel, Disrupting Travel — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Heavy rainfall on Tuesday caused flash floods across southern Israel, affecting areas from Eilat through the Negev and up to the northern Arava and the Dead Sea region. All roads leading to and from Eilat were blocked to traffic, though departure to Ramon Airport remained possible. Police urged drivers to avoid blocked roads, exercise patience, and follow officers' instructions. Rain also began falling in Jerusalem, the central region, and the coastal plain, leaving some residents stranded and unable to reach polling stations.

Numerous roads in the south were closed for extended periods, including significant portions of Highway 90, Highway 57, Highway 25, Highway 40, Highway 13, and Highway 12. Police reported that southern district officers, along with rescue unit volunteers and the aerial unit, were actively engaged in locating and rescuing individuals and vehicles trapped in flooded areas. "Police and rescue forces are operating to locate those involved in the incidents and rescue them, conducting ground and air searches under complex terrain and weather conditions," a police statement said.

Rainfall measurements included 17mm in three hours near Mount Shagav, 8.4mm in the Arava, and similar amounts in Ma'ale Adumim and Masada. Police stations in the Jordan Valley and Judean Desert also reported rescue operations for hikers stranded by floods. The public was repeatedly advised to avoid blocked areas, refrain from entering potentially flooded zones, and not attempt to cross flowing streams.

The forecast indicated partly cloudy skies with a chance of continued rain and thunderstorms, particularly in the east, with ongoing flood risks near the Dead Sea, Judean Desert, and Arava. Rain was expected to weaken overnight. Lighter, scattered showers with isolated thunderstorms were predicted for Wednesday, mainly in the north, with temperatures remaining stable. A slight temperature drop and local rain in the north were forecast for Thursday, accompanied by strong winds in the mountains. Friday was expected to be partly cloudy with further temperature decreases, making them colder than average for the season, with light local rain in the north and center. Saturday was predicted to see a slight rise in temperatures, especially in mountainous and inland areas.

Meanwhile, many Israelis took advantage of the election day holiday and morning sunshine to visit nature reserves, national parks, and beaches for family outings before or after voting. Approximately 90,000 visitors, including 2,000 tourists, visited these sites nationwide. Popular locations included Yarkon-Tel Afek, Caesarea, Ashkelon, Ein Hamad, Beit Guvrin, and Ein Afek Nature Reserve. Some Israelis used AI chatbots to help them decide how to vote, while others prioritized leisure activities, with some planning to vote after their outings. Despite the political significance of the day, many enjoyed outdoor activities like barbecues and beach sports, with some expressing a desire to disconnect while still emphasizing the importance of voting.