Heavy afternoon rain in Jerusalem caused flooding in parts of East and South Jerusalem. The area around the Dead Sea in eastern Israel was also affected by the rainfall.
Firefighters and rescue teams responded to people stranded at various locations because of the flooding. Officials urged residents not to enter basements or parking garages and not to use elevators in flooded areas.
Warnings about flood channels and standing water
Residents were urged to stay away from channels carrying floodwater and from pools of water that could pose a danger.
The area around the Dead Sea experienced an unprecedented flood in August.
Rainfall in Ma'ale Adumim reached 25 millimeters
A meteorological station in Ma'ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, recorded 21 millimeters of rain within one hour. The measured rainfall later rose to 25 millimeters.
Amir Givati, head of the Israel Meteorological Service, said the rainfall, flooding and flash floods in the region constituted a “historic event” for this time of year.
Givati said the highest rainfall previously measured in the Jerusalem region in August had not exceeded 1 millimeter. He said the measurement was recorded in the Mount of Olives area about 100 years ago.