Record Rains Flood Israel's Sharon Region, Cause Widespread Disruption
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Record rainfall inundated Israel's Sharon region on Saturday, causing widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. Intense downpours led to submerged cars, road closures in Tel Aviv, and power outages in Gan Yavne. The heavy rains also caused severe flooding in Gaza, damaging thousands of tents housing displaced people. The storm is expected to continue with reduced intensity through Sunday.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Record 117 mm of rain fell in Kadima in just over an hour on Saturday.
- Flooding and infrastructure damage occurred across Israel, including Tel Aviv and Gan Yavne.
- Tens of thousands of tents housing displaced persons were flooded in Gaza.
- The storm caused road closures on Tel Aviv's Ayalon Highway.
- Power outages affected Gan Yavne due to damaged electricity infrastructure.
- Rain is expected to continue through Sunday, with temperatures below average.
A severe winter storm brought record-breaking rainfall to Israel's Sharon region on Saturday, with 117 millimeters recorded in just over an hour in Kadima, the highest November rainfall since 2020. Other areas also experienced intense downpours, including Binyamina with 48 mm in an hour, and Hadera and Tel Aviv with 35 mm. Ashdod received approximately 90 mm over the past day.
The heavy rains caused significant flooding across the country, with cars submerged in Even Yehuda and disruptions on the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, where two lanes were closed near the La Guardia interchange due to a crack in the road caused by drainage system issues. Hail was reported in Kfar Saba, and traffic lights were damaged.
In Gan Yavne, power infrastructure was damaged, leading to an electricity outage affecting the town and nearby areas. Residents expressed frustration over repeated delays in restoring power, highlighting the difficulties faced by vulnerable populations.
Further south, the Gaza Strip experienced severe flooding due to the heavy rains, with tens of thousands of tents housing internally displaced persons reportedly inundated. Hamas stated that around 70,000 tents were damaged, particularly in the central Gaza areas of Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat.
Forecasters predict that rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, will continue throughout Sunday in central and northern Israel, with local showers expected in the northern Negev. Flash floods are possible in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea wadis. Temperatures are expected to remain below average for the season, with rain gradually weakening and diminishing by Monday afternoon. No rain is expected on Tuesday, though it will remain colder than usual.
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