This blog post summarizes the severe weather event that swept across Israel on Tuesday morning: intense rain and hailstorms that caused widespread flooding, road closures, property damage, and multiple rescues.
I place the event in meteorological and operational context, highlight the regional impacts, and discuss what this rapid swing from an unusual late‑November heatwave to intense precipitation means for infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
Storm impacts across Israel: flooding, closures and rescues
The storm produced heavy rain and hail that quickly overwhelmed drainage systems and caused major traffic disruptions across the country.
Several principal roadways were temporarily shut, emergency teams performed multiple water rescues, and local infrastructure sustained damage in some areas.
Regional breakdown of effects
Southern and central highways closed: Sections of Routes 40, 227, and 206 in the south were closed due to flooding, and Route 90 near Jericho was also shut.
These closures illustrate how rapidly low-lying and desert-adjacent corridors can become impassable when intense rain falls in a short period.
Northern and Jerusalem impacts: Flooding affected Kiryat Motzkin and Shfaram in the north, while Jerusalem experienced several minutes of heavy hail.
Fortunately, reports indicated no immediate structural damage in Jerusalem from the hailstorm.
West Bank infrastructure: Strong winds and torrential rain led to the collapse of part of the West Bank security fence in the Hebron Hills.
This is a reminder that infrastructure designed primarily for other threats can be vulnerable to extreme weather.
Rescue operations and human impacts: Magen David Adom (MDA) reported rescuing people trapped in vehicles and homes across multiple cities, including Kiryat Gat, Beit Shemesh, Beersheba, Rahat, and Tirat Carmel.
As of 9 a.m., none of those rescued required medical treatment.
In Beit Shemesh, United Hatzalah volunteers used a dinghy to evacuate students trapped in a flooded school transport vehicle.
This demonstrates rapid local volunteer response capabilities.
Recorded rainfall and meteorological context
The Israel Meteorological Service recorded exceptionally intense short‑duration rainfall in the central region, with one site setting a new local record.
Key rainfall totals and notable measurements
Significant short-term totals included:
From a late‑November heatwave to sudden flooding: climate volatility and preparedness
The storm followed an unusual late‑November heatwave that saw temperatures soar to record highs — 37.2°C in Eilat and over 34°C across much of the country.
Such rapid transitions from extreme heat to intense precipitation highlight increasing weather variability and the importance of adaptive planning.
Implications for planning and response
From 30 years of observing weather impacts and emergency response patterns, several practical lessons stand out:
Here is the source article for this story: Extreme weather causes flooding, road closures and damage across Israel