First Autumn Storm and Heavy Flooding Close Major Highways to Eilat
The first autumn storm brought heavy rain, lightning, and large hail to the Golan Heights and Jerusalem on election day, while severe flooding forced the closure of major highways leading to Eilat.
The first significant autumn rainfall swept across the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee region, bringing heavy downpours, lightning, thunder, and unusually large hailstones. A storm lasting about two hours covered the Golan from north to the south, while the community of Sha'al reported golf-ball-sized hail. Precipitation was also recorded near the Sea of Galilee at Ein Gev beach.
Simultaneously, severe weather struck Jerusalem and southern Israel, causing widespread disruptions on election day. Heavy rain fell in Jerusalem, while major flash floods prompted authorities to close critical southern arteries. Route 90, the Arava Highway, was completely shut down to vehicular traffic from the Arava Junction to the northern entrance of Eilat. Police also closed Route 12, Route 25 eastbound near the Tsofar Junction, Route 40 between Mitzpe Ramon and Ketura, and Route 13.
With all major routes leading to and from Eilat blocked in both directions, the Meteorological Service warned of significant flash floods across the southern Negev, the Arava, the Judean Desert, and the Dead Sea area. Forecasters predict that skies will remain partly cloudy with a slight drop in temperatures, while isolated local showers and a continued flood risk persist in southern and eastern regions.
