Preparing for the storm: After long days of hot weather and a period without precipitation, a rainy and stormy system is approaching us. Snow began to fall today (Monday) in Hermon, as well as light rains mainly in the north and center of the country. But the main part of the rainy and stormy system is expected to start tomorrow.
At the Hermon site they expect that after many months of expectations, significant snow will fall during the current system and the site will also be open for skiing. In view of the forecasts, the site is closed to visitors today and tomorrow.
tomorrow (Third) there will be local rains accompanied by thunderstorms in the north and center of the country. Local rain is expected in the north of the Negev. It snowed in Hermon. Strong winds will blow and local sandstorms are expected in the south of the country. There is a slight fear of flooding in the coastal plain and a fear of floods in the streams of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. Towards evening the rain will decrease in the center of the country.
on the wednesday It rained at times in the north of the country and along the coastal plain accompanied by isolated thunderstorms. Snow fell in Hermon. Strong winds will blow and in the south of the country there will still be local sandstorms. Especially in the morning there is a fear of flooding in the coastal plain. Towards noon, the rain will spread to the north of the Negev and then there is a fear of flooding in the streams of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. In the evening there may be light snow on the peaks of the northern mountains. At night the rains will weaken.
on Thursday It will be partly cloudy to cloudy. The storm will already be in its last stages, and there may be drizzle up to light localized rain mainly in the north and center of the country. Temperatures will rise but will still be below normal for the season.
Following the stormy forecast for the coming days, the Hatzla fire department issued the following instructions: “In recent years, the winter season has claimed victims due to a large amount of precipitation, which fell in a short time and caused floods and floods, there is a fear of floods and floods. We read: Do not cross flooded roads, Do not approach or cross flowing water sources or stream channels (not even through SUVs), yes Avoid using elevators located in parking lots or on ground levelsdo not stay in basements and parking lots below ground level and it is also recommended to heat the house with safe means of heating, such as an air conditioner or radiator.”
The Nature and Parks Authority announced that according to the forecast of the meteorological service from today until Wednesday evening there is a fear of floods in the streams of the Judean Desert and the south of the country. That is why it is absolutely forbidden to enter on foot or by car in flowing streambeds until the water level drops completely and it is forbidden to approach the edge of a stream during a flood for fear of the bank collapsing.
The Ministry of Welfare and Social Security provides accommodation in hotels and motels to the homeless during the storm
As part of the preparations for the rainy days that are expected until the end of the week, the Ministry of Social Affairs will provide accommodation in hotels and motels throughout the country to homeless people and homeless people who need a roof over their heads.
According to the circular written by the Deputy Director of Administration of the SLM, Dr. Rotem Afodi, the Ministry will bear the cost of accommodation in hotels and motels in the amount of up to NIS 468 per person for up to three nights immediately and beyond that with the approval of the Ministry’s supervision. The local authorities were asked already a few months ago to make contacts with hotels in their vicinity so that it would be possible to evacuate street houses when necessary immediately.
According to the procedure, the local authorities in Israel are also allowed to respond to the homeless and not only to street apartments that are sold to social services departments if there are no vacancies in the welfare frameworks in the district such as shelters and out-of-home welfare frameworks. Accommodation in hotels will be fully financed by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security without the participation of the authorities (without matching) and without the participation of the recipient of the service.
The Minister of Welfare and Social Security, Ya’akov Margi, said: “We have already seen situations in the past where street doors froze to death and we as a society have the responsibility to make sure that not a single person in Israel is left exposed to the dangers of the cold and the storm. I call on the public to be vigilant and report to the local authorities hotlines or the Ministry’s hotline 118 The welfare of street children who need a roof over their heads during storms.”
Acting Director General of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, Yanon Aharoni: “Staying on the street during a storm is a danger to lives. The office offers a full answer, and states in a clear statement – we will spare no efforts and resources to enable protection for every person who needs it. The local authorities can send anyone who needs a roof over their head to a hotel knowing that the ministry is behind them and will bear the full cost.”
The electric company is prepared for the stormy weather
Every year, during the summer and fall, the electric company prepares for the winter and engages in testing transmission lines, maintaining facilities, cleaning insulators, pruning and upgrading lines and adding substations. In recent weeks, the company has been working even harder to complete pruning and strengthening work in preparation for the expected weather in the coming days.
The company asks the public to keep away objects that may fly from roofs and to strengthen items that may damage the electricity grid. With the meeting between the dust accumulated on the grids and the rain, there may be short circuits and interruptions in the electricity supply. The teams of the Electric Company are prepared for any event in order to repair the damages and interruptions as quickly as possible in order to return the electricity supply to normal.
If, as a result of winds, electrical wires are broken, the public is asked to drive carefully and safely and immediately inform the Electric Company through a variety of means: the Electric Company’s website, on WhatsApp at 055-7000103, at the service center 103 and on the Facebook page.
The electric company reiterates that there is no situation of zero damage to the transmission network and that the public is asked to prepare in accordance with the weather events that cause hazards to the network and as a result interruptions in the regular electricity supply.
You can keep up to date with the information on the electrical company’s fault portal on the website. In case of using life-saving devices, the electric company recommends to be prepared with backup batteries and in case of emergencies to evacuate to the hospital.
MDA forces are on special alert for the weather
Magen David Adom teams are prepared all over the country for the weather system that is expected starting tonight and at its peak heavy rains will fall. The increased MDA teams are prepared with dual-wheel drive ambulances (4×4) and special jeep ambulances in order to provide a quick and efficient medical response in places where it is expected to be difficult to get around due to the weather. In addition, the shifts of medics and paramedics will be increased, in order to provide a medical response if The demand for MDA services will increase. All this alongside instructions for safe driving in the rain that were distributed to Magen David Adom teams.
The CEO of MDA, Eli Bin, said that “Ahead of the arrival of the winter system, we organized in Magan David Adom in order to provide the public with medical service even in stormy and difficult terrain conditions, we will increase the 4×4 vehicles in places where heavy rains are expected and there is a fear of floods – In order to reach every citizen who will need MDA services. I ask the public to increase attention to the dangers that may arise as a result of the weather and to be in contact with family members and elderly neighbors in order to make sure that they are protected from the cold. For any medical need, the MDA forces must be called by phone 101 or through the ‘My MDA’ application, through which the medics and paramedics will identify your exact location.”
The MDA published a guide of instructions for maintaining safety during the rainy system:
Cold injury: The main signs of hypothermia are decreased consciousness, unclear behavior and decreased judgment, muscle tremors, slow or irregular pulse, decreased motor control, decreased breathing rate, pale and bluish skin. If the patient is wet, his clothes should be changed into dry ones, and his surroundings should be warmed. In the case of frostbite, the patient is expected to feel a sensation of coldness in the limbs, pain and a feeling of circumcision. In such a case, pour lukewarm (not hot) water on the cold organ and fix it. Do not massage the organ.
Contact family members and elderly neighbors: Attention should be given to elderly relatives and neighbors who live alone, make sure that they are protected from the cold and stormy weather. If possible, they should be helped with daily chores (such as food shopping, bringing medicine from the pharmacy, etc.) that include leaving the heated house to the cold weather outside.
Keeping body warm: People from population groups at risk (elderly, infants and bedridden patients) should be dressed in layers of light clothing that will allow movement. Cover them with a light blanket and make sure the room is heated to a temperature of about 24 degrees. pay attention! Do not cover babies with many layers or a heavy blanket, as this can cause suffocation. In addition, you must make sure that no unnecessary objects are left in the baby’s bed so that they do not harm him during the night. In case of decreased function, confusion, lack of eating and drinking, change in behavior and sleepiness, the patient’s environment should be warmed and the MDA teams should be called immediately by calling 101.
Electrical appliances and heating: Check that the heating means in the house are in good condition and suitable for efficient use, but pay attention to the danger of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The gas is emitted as a result of using a gas stove or fireplaces that run on coals. It is a colorless or odorless gas, and its existence cannot be noticed until the signs of poisoning begin to appear, so it is important to take safety measures. While operating the heating, make sure there is adequate ventilation, for air exchange. In addition, it is necessary to make sure that the heating system is regularly inspected periodically by a licensed technician. Do not use improvised heating devices such as charcoal barbecues.
Heaters operating on an open flame must be kept away from objects that may catch fire (sofas, blankets). Do not dry clothes on such ovens, and before connecting the oven to the electricity, check the integrity of the socket and the plug. Also make sure that children do not have access to the oven. Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and pay attention to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen. Avoid turning on heating devices that operate on an open flame while sleeping. Avoid proximity to downed power poles and exposed electrical wires. In the event of the appearance of signs of poisoning, such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness and a general bad feeling, and in severe cases of loss of consciousness, the heating system must be immediately closed, the house ventilated and the MDA immediately called by calling the emergency number 101 or using the “Med” application “A mine.”
strong winds: When strong winds are raging, objects may be dislodged. Therefore, care must be taken to reinforce garden furniture, laundry drying facilities and other objects, so that they do not harm people. It is important to be careful when opening and closing windows, which can slam with great force due to the winds. In places where there is a danger of sandstorms – in Magan David Adom, people suffering from respiratory diseases are advised to stay in closed places.
In case of floods: Be careful not to drive your vehicle into puddles, even if they don’t seem to be very deep. Travel to flood areas should be avoided. Do not go down to low parking lots as well as floors that are below ground level during flooding. In addition, during floods, one should avoid using the elevators located in the parking lots, at the ground level and below for fear of getting trapped. If there is flooding in the house, immediately disconnect the electricity in the house to avoid electrocution. It is recommended to travel on main and familiar roads and without crossing water obstacles. Drainage pits must be cleaned to allow free flow of water.
If you live in an apartment below ground level – leave the house immediately and move to safe places above ground level, in which the security forces will be able to spot you and help if necessary. In the event of floods, do not approach flowing water sources and river channels for fear of collapsing the banks and due to the strong current, which may cause you to be swept away by the current of water. Do not cross water sources, and places with strong water flow (even with off-road vehicles) – this is a real danger to life! Do not cross flooded roads whose depth we cannot gauge.
Safe driving: On rainy days and especially when it rains heavily, the roads are very slippery, and the danger of slipping exists even at low speed. Be sure to keep a greater distance than usual from the vehicle in front of you, and drive at a low speed and in accordance with the road conditions. Pay attention to the vapors that accumulate on the vehicle’s windows and may cause visibility impairment. Therefore, make sure to ventilate the vehicle and defrost the vapors regularly. Drivers must make sure to turn on their headlights, especially when visibility is poor. In addition, stopping on the side of the road is prohibited and dangerous. Do not stop in unsafe places, but only at regulated refreshment stations.
Special attention should be given to pedestrians, with an emphasis on children and near educational institutions, while giving the right of way. In addition, one should pay attention not to enter puddles with the vehicle – even if it seems that they are not particularly deep. Vehicles may be easily swept away in flooded places, and the driver may completely lose control of his vehicle, and even risk drowning. It is important not to stay in the car in the cold, in order to avoid falling asleep and hypothermia.
Fear of collapse: Staying under sheds, pergolas, shacks or temporary buildings should be avoided due to fear of their collapse due to weather conditions and strong winds.
Backup battery for ventilators: For patients who are being ventilated at home by a ventilator, make sure that the device’s backup batteries are available and ready for use for an extended period of time, in case of a power outage.
In any case of abnormal behavior or suspicious signs, the MDA forces must be immediately called on the emergency phone number 101 or through the “My MDA” applet or obey the instructions of the paramedics and medics at the call center until the MDA forces arrive at the scene.
Life-saving instructions of a fire and rescue organization
The firefighting and rescue system was also organized accordingly. In the public information and guidance branch, the public is urged to adhere to the life-saving instructions of Israel Fire and Rescue and to avoid unnecessary disasters.
Do not cross flooded roads, do not approach and cross flowing water sources or stream channels (not even with all-terrain vehicles), avoid using elevators located in parking lots or at ground levels, do not stay in basements and parking lots below ground level, we do not recommend heating the house with heat-radiating coil heaters, but with safer means of heating such as an air conditioner or radiator, obey the instructions of the emergency and security forces. You can follow us on social media, in any emergency call 102 to the firefighters.