A burst of winter rain accompanied by lightning and thunder began overnight Monday across Israel, bringing an abrupt end to a warm , dry spell.

The storm front caused strong winds, flooding and mudslides, blocking roads and disrupting power in some areas.

Flooding led to multiple road closures in the south of the country, including parts of Routes 40, 227, 206 and 463. Widespread flooding was also reported in several communities in Samaria and Binyamin, where rescue teams were stationed at various sites to assist in evacuating residents. About 10 people were rescued from their homes in Elkana, in the northwestern Samarian hills.

A power outage was reported in Kiryat Tivon and surrounding areas in the Haifa District in the north. Lightning struck a tree in Kibbutz Gesher in the Jorda

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