Israel Braces for Heavy Flooding in Southern Regions Amid Election Day Storms

Israel's Fire and Rescue Services have issued a severe warning regarding the significant risk of flash floods in the southern Negev and Arava regions in the coming days. The alert comes in response to updated forecasts from the Meteorological Service predicting substantial rainfall.

Heavy rains are expected to begin Tuesday afternoon near the Egyptian border and spread to southern Negev, the Arava, and the Dead Sea area. Forecasters anticipate intense downpours that could lead to dangerous flash floods in major streams such as Paran, Hayon, Nekarot, and Tzin.

Authorities are particularly concerned about potential flooding on Highways 90 and 40, as well as other access roads in the affected areas, which could disrupt traffic and necessitate rescues. Emergency services are preparing for possible road closures and rescue operations.

Fire and Rescue officials are urging the public to exercise extreme caution, emphasizing the life-threatening danger of attempting to cross flooded roads, whether on foot or by vehicle. They also strongly advise against approaching streams, dry riverbeds, or areas prone to flooding, and to strictly adhere to the instructions of rescue forces. In any emergency, the public is instructed to call 102.