Flash flooding causes highways to close to and from Eilat

The city’s northern exit to Ramon Airport and Be’er Ora settlement will be open, however, for those wishing to reach those areas.

Flooding and severe weather have forced the closure of Highways 12, 40, and 90, cutting off traffic to and from Eilat, Israel Police said Saturday.

The city’s northern exit to Ramon Airport and the town of Be’er Ora will be open for those wishing to reach those areas, police added.

Videos taken from Highway 90 showed the road severely flooded.

Documentation also showed flooding from the Ketura River, located in the Negev‘s southeastern region. Other flash floods were reported along the Shelhav River in the central Arava.

Keeping citizens in area safe

Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri addressed the southern city’s residents, asking them to “obey the instructions of the authorities on the ground and avoid reaching the river areas and flood hotspots close to the city.

“The municipality’s teams are prepared and ready for a rapid response, and are equipped with everything necessary for an immediate response in any situation. Our preparation is precise, coordinated, and comprehensive to ensure that the city’s systems operate optimally,” he continued.

The Nature and Parks Authority announced the closure of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve, and the Ein Bokek Nature Reserve. In the north of the country, the Tel Dan Nature Reserve was also closed due to the weather.

Strong rainfall and floods have also been reported in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Yanir Yagna, Yoav Itiel, and Maariv Online contributed to this report.