Rain is set to continue today, but the worst of the storm is already behind us as Israel prepares to bid farewell to Storm Byron. The system is expected to affect the country at least until midday, with local rainfall continuing mainly in central Israel and the northern Negev.
Thunderstorms may still occur through the early afternoon, and there remains a risk of localized flooding, particularly along the southern coastal plain, as well as flash floods in streams in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea region. From midday onward, rainfall is expected to weaken.
Footage: Shikma stream floods Route 232
(Photo: Under Section 27A of the Copyright Law)
The storm delivered significant rainfall across large parts of the country. Several monitoring stations near Atlit recorded nearly 200 millimeters of rain during the current system, while the Haifa area saw around 150 millimeters. Central Israel also received substantial amounts, including about 120 millimeters in Rishon LeZion and roughly 100 millimeters in several other locations.
On Wednesday evening, the Israel Meteorological Service issued an orange warning for heavy rainfall across the central coastal plain and the Shephelah. The warning was in effect from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 10 a.m. Thursday.
Temperatures today will remain slightly below seasonal norms, especially in mountainous and inland areas. Overnight, skies will be partly to mostly cloudy, with light drizzle to isolated light rain possible in the north and center. On Friday, similar conditions are expected, alongside a slight rise in temperatures back to seasonal averages.
The new week is expected to begin dry, but rain is forecast to return on Monday, accompanied by a mild drop in temperatures. Local rainfall with isolated thunderstorms is expected from the north to the Negev, intensifying from the afternoon. There is a slight risk of flooding in eastern streams.
Flash floods in Sderot
(Photo: Under Section 27A of the Copyright Law)
Despite earlier dire forecasts warning of widespread urban flooding and drainage systems failing under the strain, such scenarios did not materialize in most cities. The majority of rescue operations ended without injuries. In fact, Israel Meteorological Service Director Dr. Amir Givati was proven correct when he said earlier this week in an interview with the ynet studio that “Tel Aviv will not be underwater,” contrary to warnings from other experts.
Search for missing teen
Police said overnight that extensive searches are ongoing for 19-year-old Eliyahu Abba Shaul of Bnei Brak, who left his home Wednesday evening and has since been missing. Searches are focused along the Yarkon River, near Rokach Street in Ramat Gan, after his shoes were found on the riverbank.
Dan District Commander Cmdr. Elad Klein conducted a situation assessment at the scene alongside senior officers and participating rescue forces. Police have asked the public for assistance, urging anyone with information about Shaul’s whereabouts to contact the police emergency hotline at 100.
Flooding near Ashkelon
Magen David Adom reported overnight that it received calls about severe flooding in the moshav of Beit Shikma near Ashkelon, where residents were trapped inside their homes. Medical teams established a treatment point within the community and provided care to several residents.
Six people were evacuated to hospital in light condition, while a man in his 60s was evacuated in moderate condition suffering from signs of hypothermia. Fire and rescue teams also operated in the area to extract residents from flooded homes.
MDA paramedic Issachar Weiss said the teams initially believed the incident was localized but quickly realized it involved significant flooding with the potential for numerous casualties. Residents suffering from mild cold-related injuries were evacuated from their homes using four wheel drive vehicles and a Unimog intensive care unit ambulance.
Rainfall data
The storm peaked Wednesday, with rainfall concentrated mainly in central Israel before shifting south later in the evening. From 9 p.m. Tuesday to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Rishon LeZion recorded the highest rainfall at 82.2 millimeters.
Rainfall totals included 72 millimeters in Rehovot, 70.4 in Rosh Tzurim, 66.3 near Netiv HaLamed-Heh, 62.1 near Yavne, 62 in Nir Israel near Ashkelon, and 58.9 in Ashkelon. Beersheba recorded 23.4 millimeters in the past 24 hours, while rain reached as far south as Mitzpe Ramon with 0.4 millimeters.
Heavy rainfall in the Dead Sea area caused flash flooding and led to closures along Route 90, initially across a long stretch and later limited to the southern Dead Sea area.
3 View gallery
Lightning seen from Rosh HaNikra as the northern coast steals the show
(Photo: Amir Yarchi)
Rain also fell across the Sharon and Samaria regions, including 25.7 millimeters in Ra’anana, 32.8 in Hadera, and 34.5 in Zichron Yaakov. Northern coastal areas saw impressive totals as well, with Ein Carmel recording 67.7 millimeters, bringing its cumulative total since the start of the system to around 200 millimeters.
The Sea of Galilee rose by just half a centimeter on Wednesday, though officials expect further rises in the coming days due to runoff and renewed stream flow.
Flooding and rescues nationwide
Flooding was reported in Yavne, Sderot and Nahariya. In Yavne, 14 people were rescued from flooded vehicles. Nahariya officials urged residents to remain indoors after a well-developed storm cell dumped 20 to 30 millimeters of rain in a short time.
In Sderot, vehicles were submerged and an electricity pole exploded during heavy evening rainfall. A section of Route 232 between Bror Hayil and Ibim was closed due to flooding in the Shikma stream.
Elsewhere, a tree collapsed onto a vehicle in Holon, lightly injuring a 32-year-old woman. In southern Tel Aviv, a car sank in an open area, with two young occupants treated for minor injuries. In the Jerusalem Hills, two people were rescued after their vehicle was caught in a flash flood in the Emek HaArazim area.
Firefighters also responded to a report of a jeep sinking near the Beit Zayit dam, but after searches found no evidence of a submerged vehicle, the operation was called off.
First published: 07:48, 12.12.25