Central Israel, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, was hit by heavy rains and strong winds Thursday night and throughout the day Friday.

While the rain is desperately needed amidst a growing water crisis, it also wreaked havoc in lower-lying areas.

In Tel Aviv and most of its suburbs, main roads were flooded Friday morning. In some of the outlying towns in the Greater Tel Aviv area, houses and public buildings, including a kindergarten, flooded, requiring emergency evacuations.

Shoppers at a mall in central Israel were also evacuated when the rain and winds knocked over a gas canister connected to the facility.

Power outages were experienced in several areas as branches and trees blown over by the winds hit transformers.