The Final Barrage: Forecasters Warn of Heavy Rain and Flooding Tonight Before Storm Byron Fades

Extreme Rainfall and Emergency Rescues

Storm Byron has brought torrential rain and severe weather conditions across much of Israel since it began on December 9, with the peak intensity recorded today, Thursday. Rainfall measurements published by the Meteorological Service show that several stations have recorded over 100mm of rain since the storm started, with one station near the Carmel region, Nahal Me'arot, receiving a staggering 206mm of precipitation. Other high-ranking stations include Ein Carmel, with 181mm, and Haifa, with 146mm, indicating that the northern coastal plain and Carmel area have borne the brunt of the storm.

The intense rainfall has led to numerous flood and rescue events, particularly in the central and southern coastal plain.

Flash Floods and Road Closures

The heavy rain extended to the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea area, triggering flash floods in the northern Judean Desert streams that are expected to intensify overnight. As a result, a massive section of Route 90, between the Lido Junction and the Dead Sea hotels roundabout, was closed for hours due to flooding.

In the Jerusalem hills, two occupants were rescued after their car was swept away in a flash flood in Emek Ha’arazim. Fire and Rescue services were also involved in extensive searches at the Beit Zayit Dam near Jerusalem after a jeep reportedly sank with five passengers inside, prompting a desperate search effort. Fire and Rescue services strongly warned the public not to cross flowing water channels, either by vehicle or on foot, and to avoid flood-prone areas.

Focus Shifts South and Forecast

While the Carmel region recorded the largest accumulated totals, the rainfall focus shifted to the central region and Judean Hills during the day. Between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM, 54.6mm of rain fell in Rosh Tzurim and 54.5mm in Emek Ha'ela. Tel Aviv saw between 16mm (south) and 35mm (north) in the same six-hour period, with the city accumulating nearly 100mm since the start of the storm, nearly equaling the average for the entire month of December.

Transportation was also severely affected. A lightning strike caused a signaling malfunction near Kiryat Gat, temporarily halting train service between Lod and Beersheba.

The forecast suggests that Storm Byron will begin to weaken on Friday afternoon. Local rains will continue through the night and into Friday afternoon, primarily in the central region and northern Negev, with risks of local flooding remaining in the southern coastal plain and flash floods in the Dead Sea area. Temperatures will remain slightly below average. By Saturday, the weather is expected to ease, with only light, local rain possible in the north and center, and temperatures slowly returning to seasonal averages.