Unusual flash floods, record-breaking stream flows, and prolonged road closures hit Israel this weekend, with the southern city of Eilat cut off for nine hours after all access roads were shut from the afternoon. Rainfall in the city reached 10 mm, causing localized flooding, and the only exit route remaining via Ramon Airport. By 11:00 p.m., police announced that Route 90 had reopened, except for a segment near the Arava Junction. While no major rain is expected in the coming days, heavy rainfall is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, especially in central and northern regions.
Rescue of civilians from the flood in the south
(Video: Operational Documentation - Southern District)
While rains were recorded across the country on Saturday, the weather event in the south was particularly extreme. According to the Israel Meteorological Service, the heaviest rainfall occurred in the Arava region: Kibbutz Samar (36 mm), Hai-Bar Yotvata (35 mm), Ketura (27 mm), and Lotan (26 mm) — all receiving more rain in a few hours than their annual average.
Dozens of southern streams, from Eilat to the southern Dead Sea, saw heavy flow. Notable flooding was reported in the Hiyun and Nekarot streams. In southern Arava, floods damaged infrastructure, including communications systems at the Ovda military base. The IDF reported no operational impact, with commanders conducting damage assessments to ensure rapid and safe responses.
Flash floods in Eilat
(Video: Police Spokesperson Amit Schwartz)
Flooding in the south
(Video: Spokespersons for the Hevel Eilot Regional Council, Hai Tsomberg, Shahar Tsomberg, Eitan Getz, Noga Gibori, Noa Gordon, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Hagar Ohayon)
Route 90 was closed around 2:00 p.m. and reopened just before midnight, allowing traffic between Eilat and the Arava Junction. The stretch from Arava Junction to Neve Zohar remained closed overnight, as did. Routes 12 and 40.
Fire and Rescue Services reported several rescues: residents stuck in elevators in Eilat, a driver caught in floodwaters on Route 90, two people whose vehicle was swept into a rocky area between Kibbutz Yotvata and Kibbutz Grofit, and three individuals trapped north of Be’er Ora after an ATV flipped in floodwaters.
Rain also fell in northern areas: 21 mm in Karnei Shomron, double-digit rainfall at the Sea of Galilee, and heavy hail in Nof HaGalil, which led to the cancellation of the Premier League match between Bnei Reineh and Bnei Sakhnin.
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Rescue of civilians trapped in a vehicle between Kibbutz Yotvata and Kibbutz Grofit
(Photo: Operational Documentation - Southern District)
Overnight, local showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected across most regions, with continued flood risk in the Arava. Sunday will see a sharp drop in temperatures, returning to seasonal averages. Local morning rain with possible thunderstorms is expected mainly in the north, followed by strong coastal winds in the afternoon.
Monday will be partly cloudy with possible local showers, mainly along the northern coast. Tuesday will see little temperature change, but by Wednesday afternoon, intermittent rain is expected with possible flooding, particularly in central and southern coastal cities and the lowlands. There is also a flood risk for the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea and the northern Arava.