The first major storm to hit Israel in the winter of 2021-22, dubbed "Carmel" by weather authorities, continued on Tuesday morning, although winds were expected to die down somewhat. Many areas were still under flood alert, and there was also a warning about flash floods in creeks and canyons in the eastern part of Israel.
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On Mount Hermon, snow was piling up, with 25 cm (nearly 10 inches) of accumulated snowfall reported at the site's lower level.
Since Monday, the water level in the Sea of Galilee has risen 2 cm (.79 inches) and is now 1.955 meters (6.41 feet) below the upper red line, the point at which water has to be allowed to flow out of the lake to avoid flooding.
In Tira, search and rescue personnel who were scrambled to help a woman stuck in a flooded car in an open field helped her out of the vehicle to safety.
Early Tuesday morning, a man who suffered serious injuries in Netanya on Monday after a tree pushed over by the storm fell on him was still hospitalized in serious but stable condition at Beilinson Medical Center. The hospital said his life was still in danger and medical staff were battling to keep him alive.
Elsewhere, Magen David Adom paramedics treated a 58-year-old woman from northern Israel for hypothermia.
Paramedic Yossi Hodientov, who was at the scene, said, "When we entered the apartment, we saw the woman lying on the floor. She was conscious but disoriented, and cold to the touch. She was able to reach her home after speaking to a relative. We provided first aid, including warming her up and administering liquids. We wrapped her in a thermal blanket and took her to the hospital, in stable condition."
Tel Aviv saw the heaviest rainfall of Monday. By 4:40 p.m. 66 millimeters (2.6 inches) had fallen in the city. Heavy rains were also reported in Zikhron Yaakov, Rosh Hanikra, Haifa, and Safed.
Ahead of the storms, cities and towns nationwide were busy preparing for the heavy rain the forecast called for, and announced that special crews were standing by to assist residents should the need arise. In the summer, as well as in the last few weeks, municipalities reported extensive work to clear out storm drains in an attempt to prevent flooding.
The city of Ness Ziona, which saw major flooding in storms last winter, dug out a special rainwater reservoir for use this year. The reservoir is designed to contain rainwater that flows into the city from nearby Rishon Lezion and Beer Yaakov. The reservoirs is equipped with a pumping system.
The rain was expected to continue through Thursday, growing weaker in northern and central Israel, with continued snowfall at Mount Hermon. The storm was expected to pass on Friday, although Friday morning could still see scattered showers.
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