A powerful winter storm continues to lash Israel, with intense rainfall, high winds and snow causing widespread disruption and damage. Severe flooding, fallen trees, and hail were reported across multiple regions on Tuesday morning. All flights were canceled from Haifa Airport due to the weather, while Gush Etzion saw its first snowfall, mixed with rain.
In a particularly serious incident, a woman in her 50s from Shuafat in East Jerusalem was brought to a checkpoint in critical condition after being struck by a heavy object in a flooded home.
A resident takes advantage of the flooding in Avigdor to kayak
Dam overflows at Beit Zayit Reservoir near Jerusalem
(Video: Jerusalem Fire and Rescue)
Images of the storm from across Israel
(Video: According to Article 27A of the Copyright Act, Orna discloses)
Strong current in the Qumran River
(Video: Megillot Rescue Unit)
Snow on Mount Hermon and in other areas of the country
(Videos: Raanan Ben Tzur, Mount Hermon Site, Udi Buch, Orna Reveals, according to Section 27A of the Rights)
At Beit Zayit Reservoir near Jerusalem, the dam overflowed, prompting authorities to evacuate the nearby agricultural school as a precaution due to blocked access roads. Naomi Shemer Tunnel, at Jerusalem’s eastern entrance, was flooded and blocked, stranding several vehicles. In Abu Ghosh, firefighters from Beit Shemesh rescued a man and woman whose car was trapped in rising water. Just after the rescue, the woman lost consciousness and was evacuated to a hospital in mild condition.
In the south, a 32-year-old man was trapped by floodwaters near Highway 3172, close to Emunim Junction, and was evacuated with signs of hypothermia. Nearby, in the Be’er Tuvia region, an elderly couple was also rescued from a flooded vehicle. Two more individuals were saved from the roof of their car in Nahal Anava, while another person was rescued by boat near Nitzan crossing of Highway 4.
Flooding was also reported in Netanya, Kiryat Malachi, and other areas along Highway 4. Tree collapses occurred in Rosh HaAyin, Netanya, Pardes Hanna-Karkur, and Ashkelon, where a cellular antenna collapsed onto a building.
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Firefighters rescued a man and a woman from a flooded vehicle
(Photo: Documentation of fire department operations)
The storm, which began intensifying overnight, brought wind gusts reaching up to 100 km/h along the coast. The most powerful gust so far was recorded in Ashkelon at 103 km/h. Tuesday morning’s rain is expected to continue throughout the day with strong downpours focused on the central mountains, accompanied by thunderstorms from the north to the northern Negev.
While the strongest winds seem to be finished, additional rain and local flooding remain possible. Mount Hermon’s lower level is already blanketed by 15 cm of snow, and the site will remain closed Tueday and Wednesday.
Rainfall Totals (as of 11 a.m.):
Masuot Yitzhak: 83 mm; Tzova: 82 mm; Jerusalem: 77 mm; Kibbutz Hulda: 28 mm (in one hour); Nahariya: 24 mm; Haifa: 32 mm; Nazareth: 43 mm; Hadera: 19 mm; Herzliya: 21 mm; Tel Aviv: 20 mm; Ben Gurion Airport: 26 mm; Rehovot: 44 mm; Kiryat Gat: 18 mm.
In northern areas, snow is falling in Hermon and parts of the northern Golan. Flash floods are expected in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea region, with localized flooding possible in the mountains and along the coastal plain. Temperatures are dropping, and haze may develop in the south. Rain and winds will ease gradually by evening, but showers will continue through the night in most areas, especially along the coast.
Peak Wind Speeds (overnight):
Tel Aviv: 85 km/h; Hadera: 83 km/h; Haifa Bay: 86 km/h; Jerusalem: 65 km/h; Be'er Sheva: 36 km/h;
Road Closures:
Police closed Route 90 from Ein Gedi to Dead Sea hotels due to flooding. Route 4 near Beit Ezra and Route 40 near Timorim were also temporarily closed.
Forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy to partly cloudy with light local showers, mainly in the northern and central Negev. Slight warming expected.
Thursday: Light drizzle or local rain possible, mainly along the central and southern coastal plain. Slight additional warming.
Friday: No significant change expected.
Forecast temperatures for Tuesday and overnight, in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit: Jerusalem 4–9°C (39–48°F), Tel Aviv 12–18°C (54–64°F), Haifa 10–15°C (50–59°F), Safed 2–9°C (36–48°F), Katzrin 7–12°C (45–54°F), Tiberias 9–14°C (48–57°F), Nazareth 8–13°C (46–55°F), Afula 8–15°C (46–59°F), Beit Shean 10–17°C (50–63°F), Lod 10–15°C (50–59°F), Ashdod 10–16°C (50–61°F), Ein Gedi 13–18°C (55–64°F), Beersheba 8–13°C (46–55°F), Mitzpe Ramon 6–12°C (43–54°F) and Eilat 13–19°C (55–66°F).
The storm caused extensive damage in several cities overnight between Monday and Tuesday. In Rishon Lezion, a wall at a historic winery collapsed onto parked cars late Monday, causing heavy damage but no injuries. In Nahariya, strong winds shattered restaurant windows and tore off part of a roof. Trees fell in multiple locations, including Acre, where one tree landed on a parked car and a business sign was ripped from its mount. A large street sign was blown over at the northern entrance to Or Akiva, and a fallen tree blocked an entrance to Pardes Hanna.
Several minor injuries were reported. A 47-year-old woman was lightly hurt by a sign blown by the wind near a commercial area in Glilot. In Rishon Lezion, a 70-year-old woman was injured by a large branch that fell on Hagalim Street. A 28-year-old man was lightly injured when a tree fell on Mivtza Ein Street in Ramat Gan.
Weather warning:
Dr. Amit Givati, director of the Israel Meteorological Service, told Ynet: "We’re not saying people shouldn’t leave their homes—but they must be alert to flying debris. Stay away from the sea, not just at night, but also during the day until the wind calms down."
Emergency services urged the public to avoid non-essential travel during peak storm hours and not to cross flooded areas. They advised following official updates closely.
First published: 12:13, 01.13.26