Historic August Rainstorm Causes Flooding and Rescues in Jerusalem and Judean Desert

On August 15, an unusually intense rainstorm struck Jerusalem and surrounding areas, breaking a historic rainfall record for the month. The rain began around 3 p.m. in northern Israel and quickly spread to parts of Jerusalem and nearby communities. At the Maale Adumim meteorological station, a record 21 millimeters of rain fell in one hour, the highest August hourly total ever recorded there. Radar images showed a significant storm cell over Jerusalem, with rainfall continuing in the Jerusalem hills and Maale Adumim, where 25 millimeters were measured, an exceptionally high summer amount.

The heavy rain caused flooding in southern and eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem, prompting multiple rescue operations by firefighters. Authorities warned residents to avoid underground areas, parking garages, and elevators during floods and to stay away from water channels and dangerous water sources. Notably, the northern Judean Desert's Nahal Og experienced its first recorded flash flood for this season. Other rainfall measurements included 4 millimeters in central Jerusalem and 13 millimeters in Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim in Gush Etzion.

Dr. Amir Givati, head of the Meteorological Service, described the event as a historic record for August rainfall and flash floods in the region, noting that the previous highest August rainfall in Jerusalem was only 1 millimeter about a century ago on the Mount of Olives. Nationwide, August rain events exceeding 20 millimeters are extremely rare, having occurred only three times since records began. Givati linked the rare storm to the intensifying "Super El Niño" phenomenon, which is expected to continue affecting Israel in the coming months. The Meteorological Service also forecasted a wetter-than-normal autumn with potential for unprecedented flooding.

The Nature and Parks Authority issued strict warnings against entering flowing riverbeds or approaching riverbanks during floods due to collapse risks. Rescue units advised observing floods only from safe, elevated locations. Meanwhile, swimming was banned at Achziv Beach in the Western Galilee due to dangerous sea conditions.

On the same weekend, approximately 40,000 hikers visited nature reserves and national parks across Israel, with popular sites including Horeshet Tal, Achziv Beach, Gan HaShlosha, Caesarea, Dor-Habonim Beach, and the Coral Reef Reserve in Eilat. About 8,500 campers stayed overnight in park campgrounds. Additionally, around 60,000 visitors observed the Perseid meteor shower in southern Israel, half of them at Makhtesh Ramon.

The weather forecast for the following days includes continued rain in eastern Israel starting in the afternoon, a temperature drop on Monday below seasonal averages in the mountains and inland, and partly cloudy skies with possible coastal drizzle through Tuesday and Wednesday.