Storms hit Israel: Heavy rains flood mall
Thunder and hailstorms reported nationwide, flooding businesses and catching Israelis off guard
The Azrieli Mall in Modiin had to be closed in the evening when water reportedly piled two meters high outside its main entrance and flooded the premises.
Flooded mall (Photo: Zrubavel Tyomkin)
"At first there was a wave, a waterfall, that entered the avenue, and within seconds the whole area was submerged," Yossi, a yarmulke salesman at the mall told Ynet. "We didn't have time to lift anything above the ground… even now they are still trying to remove all the water."
Police and fire crews were alerted to the scene.
Doors couldn't keep water out (Photo: Yossi Wendel)
The deluge surprised Jerusalemites as well – despite warnings issued by meteorologists.
"I heard on the weather report that it's a bit wintery, but I didn't expect such a downpour," Rachel Perry, a resident of the capital, said. "I went out with my son when the rain caught us without an umbrella. We were both soaked.
Thunder in Tel Aviv. (Photo: Inbal Shafrir)
"I had to buy an umbrella from a really expensive store," she vented. "That's what happens when you don't believe the forecast."
Orit, a Samaria resident, said that while she didn't anticipate more than a light drizzle, she was glad for the unseasonal storm.
"Thank God that there's rain," she said. "We cannot complain about that."
According to Meteo-Tech meteorologist Nachum Malik, more flooding was expected in low regions along the coastal plain, where dozens of millimeters of precipitation are expected overnight.
"Sometimes the forecast gets it right," he said.
Aviel Magnezi contributed to the report
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