Israel Issues Flash Flood Warning After Record August Rainfall in Jerusalem Area

Following a day of record-breaking rainfall in August, Israel's Meteorological Service has issued a yellow early warning for flash floods in the Judean Desert, Dead Sea region, northeastern Negev, and northern Arava from 12:00 to 21:00 on Sunday. The police announced they will deploy forces in areas where roads may be blocked and urged the public to plan travel carefully, avoiding high-risk zones such as riverbeds. The Nature and Parks Authority emphasized a strict ban on entering flowing riverbeds by foot or vehicle until water levels fully recede, warning against approaching riverbanks during floods due to collapse risks.

On the previous day, heavy rain fell over Jerusalem and northern Judean Desert, with Maale Adumim station recording an unprecedented 21 millimeters in one hour and a total of 25 millimeters, breaking all-time August records. This led to flooding in southern and eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods. For the first time ever, a flood was documented in Nahal Og in the northern Judean Desert during August. Other 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 peak in rainfall, flooding, and flash floods for this season, noting that the previous highest August rainfall near Jerusalem was just 1 millimeter about a century ago on the Mount of Olives. Nationwide, August rain events exceeding 20 millimeters are extremely rare, recorded only three times since measurements began: in the Golan Heights (2012), Acre (1990), and Kfar Galim (1971).

Dr. Givati linked this rare weather event to the intensifying "Super El Niño" phenomenon affecting the globe and expected to influence Israel in the coming months. The Meteorological Service also forecasts a wetter-than-usual autumn with potential for unprecedented flooding during that season. Temperatures on Sunday will remain similar, with a slight cooling and reduced heat on Monday, including possible light drizzle along the coast and below-average temperatures inland and in the mountains. Tuesday is expected to be partly cloudy to clear with no significant temperature changes and possible coastal drizzle in the morning.