Unprecedented Rains Cause Widespread Flooding and Power Outages in Israel

Israel experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall on Saturday, leading to extensive flooding and disruptions. The town of Kadima in the Sharon region recorded 117 millimeters of rain in just one hour and fifteen minutes, with approximately 100 millimeters falling within a single hour. The Meteorological Service stated this is the second-highest hourly rainfall recorded in Israel, surpassed only by a historical record of 110 millimeters per hour in Ma'agan Michael in November 2024. Other areas also saw significant rainfall, with Even Yehuda receiving about 70 millimeters per hour and Binyamina around 50 millimeters per hour. The rains began in the morning across the Gush Dan area, the Shefela, and the southern coastal plain, with Ashdod measuring about 90 millimeters in a few hours. By the afternoon, the storm's focus shifted to the Sharon region, causing major flooding in Kadima-Tzoran, Even Yehuda, and Qalansawe. These widespread floods resulted in power outages, traffic disruptions, and significant impacts on daily life for residents. The Meteorological Service highlighted that this extreme event, following recent flash floods in the eastern part of the country during the last election day, underscores the potential for extreme rainfall events in Israel during the autumn season.