Watch: Israel flood chaos - Major roads closed, Eilat cut off amid extreme weather

Heavy rainfall and strong winds battered southern Israel on Sunday, May 4, 2025, causing widespread flash flooding that led to the closure of major highways and restricted access to the city of Eilat. The Israel Meteorological Service reported exceptional rainfall, with 34 millimeters (1.3 inches) recorded in Kibbutz Samar and 17 millimeters (0.7 inches) in Kibbutz Yotvata by 4:30 p.m., amounts typically seen over an entire year. In Dimona, thunderstorms brought hail, exacerbating hazardous conditions across the region.

The Israel Police closed several key routes due to flooding, including Highways 40, 12, 90, and 204. As of 4:45 p.m., Route 40 was blocked from Mitzpe Ramon to Ketura Junction, and Route 90 was closed from Ein Gedi to Ha’arava Junction and southbound to Eilat. Exits from Eilat along Routes 90 and 12 were also shut, as was Halukim Junction on Route 204 toward Mitzpe Ramon. A rockslide triggered by heavy rains blocked Route 90 near Ein Gedi, with the Israel Police’s Dead Sea Scrolls Rescue Unit assisting stranded citizens to cross the obstructed area on foot. Volunteers from the Scrolls and Ein Gedi rescue units, alongside police from the Judea and Samaria and Southern Districts, facilitated safe passage to secure locations until the road could be cleared, a process expected to take several hours.

The Meteorological Service warned of continued flooding risks, urging the public to avoid flooded areas and cancel non-essential travel. Police emphasized that crossing flooded roads or streams is life-threatening and prohibited. Residents and travelers were advised to monitor updates via the police hotline 101 or the new Israel Police chatbot (https://go.gov.il/110) and to call the emergency hotline 100 for immediate assistance. The flooding drew local spectators, particularly in the Arava region, where residents safely gathered to witness the dramatic flow at Nahal Nekarot, showcasing nature’s power amid the crisis.