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Photo: Dan Vardi
Haifa storm
Photo: Dan Vardi

Stormy weekend ahead, floods expected

Wind and rain to pick up Thursday night till late Saturday; Extracurricular school activities cancelled; Residents are advised to be prepared, especially on the roads and near water channels.

Meteo-tech weather services is forecasting a stormy night Thursday with wind and rain in the north and center of the country begginng at night an lasting through Friday. Mt Hermon will see snow, and visibility will decrease in the south and center as dust blow in from the Sahara desert.

 

 

Expecting waves to rise to between two and seven meters and storm runoff to overwhelm the drainage systems, Meteo-Tech Weather Forecasting Services issued a Flash flood watch.

 

Tel Aviv coast (Photo: Shmuel David)
Tel Aviv coast (Photo: Shmuel David)

 

Due to the weather, extracurricular school activities will not take place Friday in areas prone to flooding; school outings and youth group trips have also been cancelled. Otherwise, the education system will operate as usual.

 

Southwesterly winds are expected to pick up overnight Thursday reaching speeds of up to 90 or even 100 km an hour by early morning. The storm should subside by Friday evening.

 

On Saturday, temperatures will increase but some local rain may persist throughout the country till Saturday night. By Saturday afternoon, the waves will calm and reach a height of no more than 2.5 meters.

 

Sand berms Tel Aviv (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Sand berms Tel Aviv (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

 

Sunday and Monday, temperatures will continue to increase beyond seasonal norms.

 

The Mt Hermon site is preparing for the coming snow and the skiing season. Seventy tons of salt was readied to de-ice the roads and all snowmobiles and snow plows have undergone maintenance to ensure their readiness.

 

The Haifa municipality has undertaken preparations for the storm by getting ready for flooding in areas near the sea as well as in areas affected by the Carmel fire's, as lack of vegetation makes the ground especially susceptible to flooding.

 

Stormclouds over Haifa (Photo: Dan Vardi)
Stormclouds over Haifa (Photo: Dan Vardi)

 

The city's 106 municipal hotline will also be reinforced by more staff so residents' reports can quickly reach the relevant emergency services.

 

The city called on its citizens to "Prepare for the storm in advance by cleaning out drainage pipes and roof gutters, trim branches near electricity cables (from trees in private yards), reinforce loose components of roofs, balconies and solar heaters, and maintain a safe distance from trees, poles and other large movable objects that can be uprooted by winds during the storm."

 

 (Photo: Erez Vansover)
(Photo: Erez Vansover)

 

The Golan Regional Council is preparing for the storm and the expected increase in visitors to arrive afterwards. Water pumps in the emergency reserves as well as equipment to remove downed trees are being readied and the electric company is on call. Residents can also access a hotline for urgent reports.

 

Safed (Tzfat) is not expected to see snowfall but temperatures will be low and, combined with the winds, Ziv Hospital is concerned about residents contracting hypothermia. Emergency Room Director Dr. Nabih Joseph called on residents to ensure homes are kept at the proper temperature and that appropriate winter clothing is worn outside especially for infants.

 

Tel Aviv (Photo: Erez Vansover)
Tel Aviv (Photo: Erez Vansover)

 

The highways department is also prepared for hazardous conditions on the roads. Storm drainage systems have been cleaned, traffic lights reinforced, large overhanging branches cut and snowplows readied alongside tractors and trucks to dispense salt on the roads.

 

The Jewish National Fund has requested that the public avoid wooded areas in case of falling trees and branches. The Hula lagoon will also be closed Friday but will open on Shabbat. Events planned at car-parks in the Negev have been rescheduled due to the weather.

 

The Nature Authority warned hikers and thrill seekers against descending into any water channels including streams which can flood rapidly, with sudden strong currents potentially leading to loss of control and drowning. Vehicles are also not to attempt to cross water channels until the flood runoff completely subsides.

 

 (Photo: Shmuel David)
(Photo: Shmuel David)

 

Many Israelis go to watch (usually dry) streambeds flood along highway 90 in the Arava and Judean Desert and they are advised to remain a safe distance from the channels and park at a safe distance from the road.

 

Travelers are advised to pay attention to radio broadcasts about up to-date environmental and road conditions and seek information online as well, be supply themselves with a full gas tank and warm clothing, phone charger, emergency flashlight, water and food in case they are forced to stop and stranded on the road.

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.04.18, 21:47
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