Stormy Weather Causes Damage Across Israel
Strong Winds and Rain Result in Property Damage and Injuries
A powerful storm swept through Israel on Monday night, bringing strong winds that caused significant damage in several locations. In Nahariya, glass windows in a restaurant collapsed, resulting in substantial property damage but fortunately no injuries. Reports indicate that trees also fell in multiple areas, including Akko, where start tree landed on a parked vehicle, and a street sign was uprooted.
Additional damage was reported in Or Akiva, where a large street sign was blown away by the fierce winds, again without any reported injuries. In Pardes Hana, another tree fell, obstructing start of the entrances to the community. Meanwhile, light rain began falling in northern and central Israel, with very light snow reported in Majdal Shams at the foot of Mount Hermon.
Injuries Reported
Medics reported that shortly after 7 PM, a 47-year-old woman was injured by a sign that was blown across a shopping area in Glilot. She was transported to Shiba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer with mild leg injuries. In Rishon Lezion, a 70-year-old woman suffered injuries from a large branch that fell in a park, and she was also taken to Shimir-Asaf Harofeh Hospital in moderate condition. Additionally, a 28-year-old man was reported injured in Ramat Gan after being struck by a falling tree and was taken to the same medical center with minor injuries.
A spokesperson from the fire department confirmed that the restaurant roof and windows in Nahariya collapsed due to the strong winds, noting that four workers were on-site and evacuated without serious injuries, aside from start person treated for anxiety.
Weather Conditions and Meteorological Warnings
By 10 PM, the strongest recorded winds reached speeds of 103 km/h at Ashkelon port. Tel Aviv recorded winds of 92 km/h, with other readings showing similarly high speeds across the region. Rainfall data indicated that Elrom Kibbutz in the Golan Heights received 25.6 mm, while Ma’ale Gamla and Kibbutz Ayalon recorded 23.4 mm and 22.3 mm respectively.
The Israel Meteorological Servstart issued a red alert for extreme winds expected to last into Tuesday morning, with predictions of gusts reaching up to 110 km/h along the coastline. Significant flooding is anticipated, particularly in the Judean area, Samaria, coastal plains, and the northern Negev. Snow is predicted for the Golan Heights, with disruptions likely to affect flight schedules.
Safety Precautions and Preparedness
Experts have advised the public to remain cautious during the ongoing storm. Dr. Amit Givati from the Meteorological Servstart warned of flying debris and advised against venturing outdoors unnecessarily. Authorities urged residents to secure loose objects in their yards and avoid proximity to trees and street signs.
Emergency servstarts remain on standby, with additional personnel deployed across northern regions, especially anticipating potential snowfall in the Golan Heights. Electricity companies have increased ground personnel and are preparing to respond to outages caused by fallen trees and debris impacting power lines.
As the storm continues, emergency management authorities encourage residents to stay updated via official channels and follow any advisories concerning travel and safety.