Israel evacuates American tourists stranded overnight by heavy rains, flooding in Negev desert

JERUSALEM – Police in Israel say rescuers are evacuating dozens of American tourists who were stranded overnight in a parking lot in the Negev desert due to rare heavy rains.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that about 70 tourists from the U.S. were stranded there since Wednesday night when the rain began.

He said nobody was injured in the incident and that rescuers began evacuating them with helicopters and jeeps Thursday morning.

He said the tourists were on a field trip near Hulit when heavy rains prevented them from continuing the journey.

Heavy rains and thunderstorms are unusual but not unheard of in Israel this time of year.