A severe winter storm began in Israel on Monday night, with heavy rain, powerful winds of up to 100 km/h, thunderstorms, and flash floods.

The extreme weather conditions are expected to reach their peak on Tuesday. As of Tuesday morning, the winds had caused extensive damage in the coastal area, including the collapse of a historic winery wall in Rishon L’Tzion, and fallen trees were reported across the country.

A woman in the Shuafat “refugee camp” in east Jerusalem was killed after being struck by a heavy object in her flooded home.

Heavy hail was reported in central Israel, including Bnei Brak.

In Gush Etzion, the first snow fell, mixed with rain, and 15 centimeters of snow has already accumulated at the lower level of Har Chermon. More snow is expected to accumulate on the Chermon and in northern Ramat HaGaolan, and there’s a risk of flash floods in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea area, as well as localized flooding in the mountains and along the coastal plain.

The weather is expected to remain stormy, with heavy rainfall continuing, mainly concentrated in the central mountain regions, accompanied by thunderstorms from the north down to the northern Negev.

The Naomi Shemer tunnel at the eastern entrance to Jerusalem was flooded, with several vehicles trapped inside. In Abu Ghosh, a man and a woman were rescued after their vehicle was caught in floodwaters. Firefighters from the Beit Shemesh station extracted them, but immediately after the rescue the woman lost consciousness. She was evacuated to the hospital in light condition.

Flooding was also reported in Netanya, Kiryat Malachi, and on Highway 4. Trees collapsed in several locations, including Rosh HaAyin, Netanya, and Pardes Hanna–Karkur. In addition, two people were rescued after they became trapped on the roof of their vehicle in Nahal Anava due to flash flooding.

“We arrived at a complex scene where two people were in danger on the roof of a vehicle amid a strong current. Firefighters from the Ayalon station acted quickly to secure them with ropes and stabilize the situation,” said Chief Fire Officer Assaf Cohen.

The strongest wind gusts recorded so far were measured at the Port of Ashkelon, reaching 103 km/h. In Tel Aviv, winds reached 92 km/h; in Hadera and Ashdod, 86 km/h; in Haifa, 76 km/h; and in Jerusalem, 49 km/h.

In Rishon L’Tzion, wind speeds peaked at 69 km/h, causing the collapse of a wall of the city’s historic winery onto parked cars. B’Chasdei Hashem, no one was injured, but there was significant property damage.

Rishon LeZion Mayor Raz Kinstlich said, “Fortunately, a disaster was avoided. I’m glad residents are being disciplined and staying indoors. This is an event that can only be described as a great neis.”

There have been multiple reports of people incurring injuries due to flying objects or branches that fell off trees due to the powerful winds. In addition, multiple vehicles were damaged due to fallen trees or branches.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)