A major winter storm that hit Israel Tuesday evening was expected to last through the weekend, bringing rain, high winds and snow in mountains and central uplands, including Jerusalem.
The storm changed flight patterns and led to traffic difficulties, as heavy rains were accompanied by a strong cold and 55 kilometer per hour (35 mph) winds.
55 kmh (35 mph) winds bring 15 cm (half foot) of snow to Mt. Hermon, 112 mm (4.5 in) of rain outside Netanya on coast.
 |
| Snow in Jerusalem |
According to Israel’s Water Authority, the Galilee and Sharon region received 30-40 millimeters of precipitation overnight. The water level in the Sea of Galilee rose a centimeter as well.
On Mount Hermon snowploughs have been working to clear the 15 centimeters (half a foot) of snow that fell there. Snow is expected to fall Wednesday night in Jerusalem, as well as the Judea and Shomron mountains.
On Mount Hermon snowploughs have been working to clear the 15 centimeters (half a foot) of snow that fell there. Snow is expected to fall Wednesday night in Jerusalem, as well as the Judea and Shomron mountains.
Meanwhile the coastal region saw some of the most intense rain. Tel Mond, just outside of Netanya, received 112 milimeters (4.5 inches) of rain.
As for the disruption caused by the storm: a tree was reported to have fallen in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Katamon, but no injuries were reported. In Bnei Brak the storm collapsed the traffic light system, leading to mass traffic confusion.
It was decided that school would be in session in the north and center regions of Israel despite the raging storm.
12.11.13, 11:00 / Israel News
Police said Wednesday that they will close the Ayalon Highway if the Ayalon River's level rises by another half a meter. The water-level is currently less than two meters from overflowing.
In Nazareth Illit, a woman, 50, was found lying in a puddle suffering from hypothermia. Medics evacuated her to Haemek Medical Center in Afula in light condition.
Two weeks ago Israel's Chief Rabbis, Rabbi David Lau and Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, urged the Jewish people to pray for rains following a dry start to the winter. They noted that the winter rain, when plentiful, sustains the Israeli economy through the next year.
 |
| Mayor Nir Barkat investigating the Jerusalem Municipality's preparations for the snow |
 |
| toddler rides a tricycle through puddles on Jaffa Road in Jerusalem, Wednesday, December 11, 2013 |
Emergency and disaster services across the country were on high alert in preparation for the multi-day storm, while hospital emergency rooms warned of a potential disaster that the coming winter could bring, given over-burdened staff and a lack of hospital beds.
No comments:
Post a Comment