Deadly Flood Risk Looms
Israel Issues Urgent Flash Flood Warning as Heavy Rains Threaten Southern Regions
Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority issues an urgent warning ahead of severe rainfall, citing life-threatening flash flood risks across the Judean Desert, Negev, Dead Sea, Arava and Eilat regions. Entry to stream beds and hiking trails is prohibited.
Israel's Nature and Parks Authority (Rangers) has issued a severe warning to the public ahead of significant rainfall expected in the coming days, raising serious concerns of flash floods and flooding in southern and eastern regions.
Starting today, Tuesday, December 16, there is a high risk of flash floods in stream beds and flooding in vulnerable areas across the Judean Desert, Negev, Dead Sea, southern Arava, and Eilat mountains.The warning, based on forecasts from the Israel Meteorological Service, remains in effect until tomorrow (Wednesday, December 17, 2025).
The authority has prohibited entry to hiking trails and stream bed areas in these regions due to real life-threatening dangers.
The Nature and Parks Authority urges the public to exercise extreme caution: Do not enter flowing stream beds on foot or by vehicle until water levels fully recede. It is also strictly forbidden to approach the edges of streams during floods due to the risk of bank collapse.
For updates on trails and sites, contact the Nature and Parks Authority information center at *3639.