Heavy flooding in Haifa
© United Hatzalah CarmelHeavy flooding in Haifa
Torrential rain and stormy weather caused flooding and uprooted trees across northern and central Israel on Monday, with intense downpours recorded from Haifa to the Sea of Galilee and strong winds buffeting much of the country.

In the coastal city of Haifa, water surged in streets, turning some into rushing streams, and in Herzliya a tree fell onto a passing car. The driver was unhurt and did not require medical attention, said Magen David Adom paramedic Nir Keisar. "We arrived to find the vehicle in the middle of the road with the tree on top," he said. "The driver said it fell as he was driving. It was a miracle he was not injured."

Trees also came down in the northern city of Acre and in the moshav Matzliah. In the northern city of Karmiel, residents reported heavy hail.

A man in his 60s was seriously injured in Tel Aviv on Monday after a balcony collapsed on top of him. Magen David Adom paramedic Simcha Simanduyev and EMT Shimon Peresh said: "He was lying on the sidewalk near the building, semi-conscious and surrounded by rubble. He suffered multi-system trauma." The man was evacuated to the city's Sourasky Medical Center.

Tree falls onto passing car in Herzliya
© Magen David AdomTree falls onto passing car in Herzliya
Haifa also saw localized flooding, with 14.6 mm measured at the Technion and 10 mm at the oil refineries, while heavy rain in Kibbutz Bar'am near the Lebanese border reached 15.1 mm.

Trees uprooted in moshav Matzliah due to strong winds
Trees uprooted in moshav Matzliah due to strong winds
Flooding forced closure of several major roadways. Route 234 at the Tze'elim Bridge was shut in both directions, as were Routes 227 at Ma'aleh Ha'kavim and 2499 at Nof HaKikar. On Highway 4 southbound at the Holon Interchange, two of three lanes were blocked.

The storm is expected to peak Monday before beginning to ease Tuesday. A "red" warning — the highest level — remains in effect through 3 p.m. for heavy rainfall in parts of central Israel. The forecast calls for 2 to 3 inches (50 to 75 mm) of rain in the Samaria and northern Samaria regions over several hours.

"Yellow" warnings have been issued for the Carmel range, central and southern coastal plains, the Shephelah and the Judean Hills, with expected rainfall of 1.4 to 2 inches (35 to 50 mm). Separate yellow alerts cover the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea and northern Arava, with lighter rains expected.

The heavy rain could trigger urban flooding and flash floods in wadis. In addition to flooding in the Carmel and coastal plains, flash flood risks were noted for several central waterways, including Hadera Stream, Alexander, Poleg, Yarkon, Ayalon and Sorek.

The downpours are expected to spread southward through the day into the Negev, and snow is forecast on Mount Hermon. Strong winds with gusts of 50 to 62 mph (80 to 100 kph) were also expected.