Full coverage· Security· Updated 15:10

Israel Police Close Parks, Brace for Flash Floods in Southern Region

Israeli emergency services and police are preparing for extreme weather and severe flash floods in southern Israel, scheduled to impact the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 27 and 28, 2026. The Meteorological Service has forecast heavy rains, strong winds, thunderstorms, lightning, and hail, with the storm expected to begin Tuesday afternoon near the Egyptian border, Eilat, the southern Negev, and the Arava Valley before spreading north toward the Dead Sea.

3 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 11:06

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Israel Police Close Parks, Brace for Flash Floods in Southern Region — Illustration by baba

What happened

01Extreme weather and severe flash floods are forecast for southern Israel on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 27 and 28, 2026.
02Heavy rains, strong winds, thunderstorms, and hail are expected to begin Tuesday afternoon near the Egyptian border, Eilat, and the Arava.
03Authorities have ordered the closure of all parks and recreational sites between Be'er Sheva and Eilat.
04Highways 90 and 40, alongside other major roads leading to Eilat, face potential closures due to flooding.
05Israel's Fire and Rescue Services warned of high flood risks in major streams including Paran, Hayon, Nekarot, and Tzin.
06Police and emergency services are mobilizing to manage traffic, close roads, and conduct potential rescue operations.
07Officials urge the public to avoid flood-prone areas, refrain from non-essential travel, and follow safety instructions.

In response to the severe weather warnings, authorities have ordered the closure of all parks and recreational sites between Be'er Sheva and Eilat. Israel Police, including forces from the Southern and Judea and Samaria districts alongside traffic police, are mobilizing to manage potential road closures and traffic disruptions. Major routes, particularly Highways 90 and 40 and other roads leading to and from Eilat, are at high risk of flooding and may be shut down.

Israel's Fire and Rescue Services warned of life-threatening dangers in crossing flooded areas, noting that major streams such as Paran, Hayon, Nekarot, and Tzin are at high risk of flooding. Officials strongly urge the public to avoid visiting hiking trails, dry riverbeds, and valleys, to refrain from non-essential travel, and to strictly follow the instructions of rescue forces.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 15:26

Latest report: Panet. Read Panet’s original