"Mi'Kolos Mayim Rabim" • Unprecedented floods in northern, snow alert in Jerusalem

Such a day of blessed rain has not been for a long time. And heavy rains which come down almost nonstop since last Friday have led to great flooding too.

In the center of Jerusalem, the Geula neighborhood was flooded, and reports are received of flooding of certain areas to the height of half a meter.

The Bat Hefer settlement in the Sharon was flooded and dozens of homes have absorbed large amounts of rainfall. The local council is evacuating some residents from their homes and are forced to use boats - which they asked of rescue forces – in order to move within the settlement.

Rescue teams of the 669 unit of the Air Force were sent tonight to aid 15 people stranded on the roof of a building in Baka - Jatt. Another team rescued by helicopter seven people stranded on the roof of a vehicle In Alexander Stream. They were taken in a light to medium condition to hospitals.

Another air force helicopter was called in to rescue stranded soldiers in the Menashe Regional Brigade area, near Jenin, but they managed to rescue themselves before the helicopter arrived on the scene.

Hadera River overflowed and blocked access to the neighborhood of Beit Eliezer in the city. The industrial zone in Hadera was closed and Hadera's east exit to Road 65 was flooded.

According to reports, the squares in the area disappeared under the water. In addition, Shchem River overflowed and Bachan Stream in the Hefer Valley flooded the roads and the water was half a meter in some places.

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• Storm damage: detached settlements in the Galilee, many accidents

In Judea and Samaria too many roads were blocked due to the overflow of the rivers Kane and Shchem. Among others, the roads between Yakir and Revava and access road to Shavei Shomron were blocked. The Bezeq River in the Jordan Valley River also overflowed and flooded next to the settlement of Sdei Trumot.

The Rave River in Rosh Ha'ayin overflowed and flooded the road and nearby buildings, including the Yarkon MDA station. The Shita River filled and several sections in the Shata prison in Beit Shean were flooded.

Meanwhile, the water level of the Kinneret rose four centimeters this morning and now stands at 211.46-meters. The water authorities estimate it will rise by another 20cm by Thursday.

The Ministry of Education said that school tomorrow (Wednesday) will be held as usual, except for the places where the weather conditions will not allow it.

Where there will be no school, the schools will use distance learning system. Parents can obtain information about the existence of studies at the municipal center or call the office at phone number: 02-6222211.

Snow in Jerusalem?
Nir Barkat preparing. Photo: Flash 890

Jerusalem is preparing for snow which may begin to fall tonight.

In the afternoon it began to snow mixed with rain in the northern Golan Heights, from Elrom northwards.

The Golan Regional Council convened the preparation and emergency teams, and during the meeting it was decided to prepare for snow from tonight, snowmobiles are already on alert for evacuation of roads and dispersing salt on them. Galilee and Jerusalem are in preparation too.

The municipality has allocated emergency teams for the task of evacuating the main roads and opened a special operations room.

Mayor Barkat met with operators of snowmobiles, drivers of salt dispensers and municipal teams city and said, "The Jerusalem Municipality has completed its preparations for the snow. Snow in Jerusalem is a celebration for Jerusalemites and the many visitors who come to see the most beautiful city in the world painted white, and we hope the snow this time will not disappoint," he said.

The Light Rail will operate as usual. The municipal call center 106 will be reinforced and the municipal urban room will run for 24 hours.

Yad Sarah is preparing to transport patients and people in need of urgent travel along with supplying emergency medical equipment up to the patient's home.

Patients requiring urgent treatment like dialysis patients can call and order a drive at the national call center.
Israel Ohayon, director of the snow center at Yad Sarah, said that the headquarters has equipment for 12 vehicles for the disabled, and vehicles that can travel in the snow.

Yad Sarah's distress call center which is activated 24 hours a day, and hands out medical – rehabilitation equipment will work on an emergency basis, and if necessary will add receptionists and other volunteers.

The telephone number for people who need a ride and urgent help: * 6444 from any phone.

Tonight temperatures are expected to fall in the mountains of Central Israel and be close to zero.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, temperatures will continue to drop and most of the day will be around zero. Chances of snow are stronger from the morning, and into the afternoon and evening, when there may be piling on the ground.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!