The Ga'aton River overflowed - and the streets were filled with water • The same incident happened about a year ago, and the late resident Moti Ben Shabbat even paid with his life while rescuing residents and drivers • Nahariya Mayor Ronen Marley says: "We will try to get through this system safely, we need For an immediate solution from the government "
The city of Nahariya was flooded again today (Sunday), after the Ga'aton River overflowed.
The streets surrounding the route were filled with water, shops were damaged, light poles were displaced and public garbage cans cruised uncontrollably.
Following the flooding and the fear that drivers caught in the floods would be trapped in the vehicles, the police alternately blocked the traffic lanes in the center of Nahariya as well as the entrances and exits to and from the city, and directed the drivers to alternative routes.
This is not the first time residents have encountered such a spectacle.
Exactly a year ago the city was flooded following stormy weather that befell the Western Galilee region.
Heavy rainfall fell, the main street was flooded including the mall and its many shops and many drivers were trapped in their vehicles.
The IDF was also required for the mission, and its forces rescued civilians using trams and mechanical engineering equipment. The late Moti Ben Shabbat, a resident of the city, even paid with his life while rescuing residents and drivers caught in the floods.
A year after the death of Moti Ben Shabbat: Nahariya flooded again // Photo: Preliminary documentation in the Telegram, Nahariya Municipality
Large forces have been busy for a day preparing for the flood.
It turned out that this deployment prevented injuries, but did not prevent property damage.
More than 80 mm of rain fell today on Nahariya. The forecast is that the stormy weather will continue today and tomorrow, and there is a fear of floods and further extensive flooding.
"Unfortunately, Nahariya is once again flooded and besieged," said Mayor Ronen Marley, who toured the flooded areas to closely monitor efforts to drain rainwater and examine the damage caused.
"We will not be able to deal with the floods and the damage caused on our own," he said.
"We set out to implement the beginning of the government plan that is supposed to eliminate any flood coming from the mountain ridge east of the city. At the moment, it turns out that the Yehiam reservoir, which is already standing, is giving only a partial and insufficient response," Marley said.
"Such events are expected in the coming hours, tomorrow and perhaps the day after tomorrow - and throughout the winter. I call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to come to Nahariya together with the heads of the various ministries, and see with their own eyes what can be done to solve the problem immediately."
"I spoke with the CEO of the Prime Minister's Office in real time," notes Marley.
"I described the situation to him. I was assured that all the ways available to the government to solve the problem would be examined, already at the immediate stage."
"It should be mentioned that throughout the year a huge project is underway that is supposed to put an end to flooding within a year or two," he added.
"Right now we are expecting some significant rain systems that could lead to another flood, and we will try to get through this system in peace. However, we need an urgent solution from the government for the damage that has been done and probably will be done again."
Marley stressed that "Nahariya drains a huge flow of water into it that comes from nearby communities east of it, and therefore requires immediate government intervention."
Marley wanted to make it clear that he understands the hearts of the city's residents and those who today suffered directly from the flood in Ga'aton.
"We are here so that these sights will disappear and next year will not be with us. Patience, this work started a year ago, it will continue for another year with the support of the government and we will not rest until it is realized."
