Heavy rains flood parts of southern Israel, leading to closures on major roads
Entrance to Eilat shut as routes 12, 40, 90 and 204 closed; public urged to avoid affected areas, as desert communities receive year’s worth of rainfall in one day
Parts of southern Israel were flooded on Sunday, amid heavy rains and strong winds that picked up strength in the afternoon, leading police to close several main routes to traffic, including the main entrances to the southern city of Eilat.
In the southern city of Dimona, heavy thunderstorms also brought hail.
The Meteorological Service said that, as of 4:30 p.m., 34 millimeters (1.3 inches) had fallen in Kibbutz Samar, and 17 millimeters (0.7 inches) had fallen in Kibbutz Yotvata.
These are quantities usually seen over the course of an entire year, according to the Maariv newspaper.
Police urged the public not to enter areas that were flooded.
They emphasized that it is forbidden to approach or cross flooded roads, streams, or cisterns, stressing that to do so is “life-threatening.”
The police also urged the public to cancel any non-essential travel into areas that could potentially be flooded.
Those who are traveling or hiking must check authoritative sources for up-to-date information before doing so, the police added.
הסערה הגיעה לדרום: הצפות חריגות בדימונה, נחסמו היציאות מאילת
התיעודים המלאים | https://t.co/7M7uvKd7rs pic.twitter.com/xv3AXiaa4W
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) May 4, 2025
The public was advised to check the hotline 101 or the police chatbot for up-to-date information.
In any unusual event requiring immediate police attention, the public was directed to call the emergency hotline 100.
Road closures
As of 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, Route 40 was closed from Mitzpe Ramon to Ketura Junction.
Route 90 was closed from Ein Gedi until Ha’arava Junction, and from there southbound to Eilat.
Halukim Junction, on Route 204, was closed in the direction of Mitzpe Ramon.
Exits from Eilat along Routes 90 and 12 were also closed.
The Times of Israel Community.