An extraordinarily intense rain system has swept across Israel in recent hours, causing widespread flooding and road closures throughout the country. At the height of the weather event, the coastal city of Ashdod recorded 5.04 inches of rain per hour, with an astounding 1.97 inches falling in just 30 minutes – a volume typically seen spread across one to two full days of rainfall.
Video: Heavy rainfall in Ashdod / Credit: Free usage under Israeli copyright law (Section 27A)
The Nahal David stream has overflowed, flooding Route 90 and forcing police to close the main artery between Dragot Cliffs Junction and Ein Gedi Junction in both directions. On Route 6 northbound, one of three lanes was blocked past Horashim due to flooding, while Route 1 saw one lane closure between Ben-Gurion International Airport interchange and eastward. The Sea of Galilee's water level has risen by 0.39 inches in the past day.
Video: The Qumran stream / Credit: Dan Farkash, Nature and Parks Authority
The Ashdod Municipality's Winter Command Center tracked a series of powerful rain waves that descended upon the city from the early morning hours. The first major wave struck at 3:50 a.m., dumping 1.85 inches of rain across various districts, followed by a massive cloud formation at 6:20 a.m. that brought peak precipitation levels. The resulting floods forced the closure of ten major traffic routes throughout the city, though emergency services have managed to restore access to half of these arteries.
Weather forecasts indicate partly to mostly cloudy conditions will persist throughout Tuesday, with intermittent rainfall from the north to the Negev accompanied by isolated thunderstorms. Minor flood risks remain along the coastal plain until noon, with slight concerns for flash floods in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea wadis. The Mediterranean Sea remains dangerous for swimming with waves reaching heights of 4.6 to 9.2 feet and water temperatures at 68°F, while the Sea of Galilee reports moderate conditions with waves of 1 to 2 feet and water temperatures at 66.2°F.
