Record-breaking rains cause devastating flash floods in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
At least two people have lost their lives after record-breaking rainfall caused devastating flash floods in the city of Jeddah (population 4 million), Saudi Arabia’s Mecca Province on November 24, 2022.
Between 08:00 and 14:00 LT on November 24, Jeddah’s southern area recorded 179 mm (7.04 inches) of rainfall, setting a new all-time 24-hour record for the city. In just two hours, the city recorded 60 mm (2.36 inches) of rain.
According to Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology, the rainfall that hit Jeddah today exceeded the amount of rainfall registered in 2009 when flash floods killed 123 people.1
Unofficial reports mention as much as 246 mm (9.68 inches) of rain in 10 hours and a peak rate of 900 mm (35.4 inches) per hour at a private weather station.
The resulting flash floods turned roads into raging rivers, sweeping away cars, stranding drivers, and damaging homes.
The city’s King Abdulaziz International Airport announced flight delays and urged all passengers to contact carriers for up-to-date schedules.
The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported before dawn that schools in the city would be closed, as rains were forecast to continue throughout the day.
Schools were also closed in the nearby towns of Rabigh and Khulais to preserve the safety of students.
References:
1 Saudi Arabia: Two dead in devastating Jeddah flash floods – Middle East Eye – November 24, 2022
Featured image credit: Wasim Bari (stillshot)
If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.
Your support makes a difference
Dear valued reader,
We hope that our website has been a valuable resource for you.
The reality is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and grow this website. We rely on the support of readers like you to keep providing high-quality content.
If you have found our website to be helpful, please consider making a contribution to help us continue to bring you the information you need. Your support means the world to us and helps us to keep doing what we love.
Support us by choosing your support level – Silver, Gold or Platinum.
Other support options include Patreon pledges, one-off payments using PayPal and purchasing products from our webshop.
Thank you for your consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Teo Blašković
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:
We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.