As heavy rains caused flash flooding across northern Israel on Monday, search and rescue personnel from the Israel Police and the Israel Fire and Rescue Services on Monday rescued children from flooded homes and drivers from muddy rivers.
Two jeeps got trapped in Nahal Hilazon, where a soldier drowned during a navigation exercise last week. Search and rescue forces extracted the drivers and passengers.
Police called on residents to take extra care when driving, especially near flooded roads or streams.
Weather forecasts expect the storm to gain momentum in the next couple of days across the Middle East, with heavy rains, strong winds and even snow in an area mostly known for its friendly, relatively warm winter.
Jerusalem is already preparing for snow expected on Wednesday, and Israel Electric Corporation announced it was on high alert ahead of expected high use and possible power outages.
The heavy rainfall since the beginning of January have caused the Sea of Galilee to rise by 30.5 cm (one foot). Since the rainy season started in November, the water level has risen by a total 53 cm (1.73 feet)ת but it is still over a meter (yard) below the lower red line.
