A powerful storm caused extensive damage and flooding in the Arava and Negev on Wednesday afternoon. Strong winds and heavy rains were also reported along the coast.
The storm hit Eilat around 2 p.m, when heavy clouds suddenly covered the sun and strong winds picked up. Dozens of people stranded in pleasure boats had to be rescued.
In the Sinai, a tourist bus was swept off the road, and four passengers suffered injuries from glass splinters.
Several communities in the southern part of the country were cut off from water, electricity and phone service.
Throughout the day, roads in various parts of the country were closed down due to flooding and blockages caused by fallen trees and electricity poles. These included sections of the Arava highway, and the old Tel Aviv-Haifa highway.
Parts of several roads in the Eilat area were washed away, including the new road to the border crossing with Jordan.
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