Rain began falling across parts of northern Israel on Saturday evening as a powerful summer storm brought flooding and damage to neighboring Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus.
Rain was reported in parts of the Upper Galilee, the Golan Heights and the Western Galilee, including the northern cities of Safed and Kiryat Shmona. But as of 10 p.m., no location in those areas had recorded more than 1 millimeter, or 0.04 inches, of rainfall.
Footage of the storm in Lebanon
Conditions were considerably more severe elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean.
In Lebanon, footage showed storm damage around the village of Yahchouch, north of Beirut, as well as lightning strikes and flooding in the northern Akkar region. A child was swept away by floodwaters at the Beddawi Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon but was rescued. Separate footage showed what was described as a young man risking his life to rescue people trapped at sea.
Footage of the summer storm in Lebanon
(Video: LBCI)
The storm also caused damage in neighboring Syria. Roads flooded and trees were brought down in the coastal province of Latakia, while strong winds sent solar panels flying in Aleppo, damaging a parked vehicle.
Cyprus had already been hit by the unusual summer weather. Greenhouses were damaged, and a lightning strike hit a utility pole and sparked a fire. A waterspout was also photographed from a flight traveling from Cyprus to Israel.
Solar panels blown through Aleppo’s Al-Furqan neighborhood during the storm damage a parked vehicle
Israel’s Meteorological Service said Friday that, despite earlier forecasts, rain was unlikely to fall across large parts of the country and that rainfall totals would be lower than initially expected.
The main focus overnight was expected to be the Western Galilee, where localized flooding was possible. Rain could also reach areas farther south, though forecasters did not expect significant amounts or intensity.
Waterspout spotted from a flight from Cyprus to Israel
(Video: from social media)
Local rain remained possible through Sunday afternoon, particularly in northern Israel. Additional localized showers could fall Monday morning, again mainly in the north.
By Tuesday, when the school year is set to begin, fair weather is expected to return. Temperatures are forecast to rise slightly and remain somewhat above the seasonal average.