Nahariya flooded as local river surges

Thursday's rain causes the Ga'aton River to rise, inundating homes, cars and shops with water

By Judah Ari Gross
  • Judah Ari Gross is The Times of Israel's religions and Diaspora affairs correspondent.
 12 February 2015, 10:46 pm
Homes, businesses and cars were flooded as the Ga'aton river surged with rain Feb. 12, 2015. Entrances to the city were closed off while the residents waited for the excess water to drain away. (Photo credit: Nahariya Fire Department/courtesy)

Heavy rains on Thursday caused large flooding in the northern beach town of Nahariya, as the Ga’aton River surged over its banks.

Entrances to the city were blocked as streets were inundated by the overflowing river.

Houses, shops and automobiles closest to the river in the town of 53,000 were also flooded by the river.

The flooding came as a major storm system moved through the region, with heavy winds and lashing rain causing damage throughout the country. Northern Israel also saw snow in higher elevations.

The system was a preceded by a massive sandstorm that covered skies in central and southern Israel. Officials said it was the heaviest blanket of dust and sand in five years.

A woman bundled up against the winds sweeping through the country crosses the street into Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market on Feb. 11, 2015. Pollution in Israel due to the sandstorm Wednesday was the worst measured in the past five years, Israel Radio reported. (Photo credit: Judah Ari Gross/Times of Israel staff)

Some 260 people were treated for breathing problems as the sand and dust blotted out the sky and covered everything in its path Tuesday and Wednesday, Israel Radio reported.

Cold temperatures and rain are expected to continue through the weekend.


Ga’aton boulevard was closed off as the nearby river rose about its banks and flooded the streets on Feb. 12, 2015. (Photo credit: Nahariya Fire Department/courtesy)

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