The storm expected to hit Israel over the next few days will bring cold and rainy winter weather with snow in the northern peaks of the country. To prepare for the storm, which is expected to be quick but intense, Israeli cities are taking every precaution that they can to ensure the storm passes with as little damage or loss of life as possible.

The storm is expected to hit Israel on Thursday night and last all throughout Friday. By Shabbos morning the storm will have moved on. It is expected to bring with it, strong wind and rains, snow in the northern peaks and Golan Heights as well as large and strong waves striking the coast.

Ashkelon, which suffered severe flooding during this week’s previous bout of rain, will be opening an emergency command center in order to deal with any issue that arises during the storm.

In most cities, municipalities are any precautions that they can think of including, clearing out the sewer system, trimming and tying down trees, strengthening lamposts and signposts, aleting school caretakers, preparing groups of volunteers who will assist motorists on the roadways, and aving extra security and emergency personnel on call throughout the day.

The Defense Ministry issued a statement to all security heads of local and regional councils to prepare for extreme winter weather.

Tel Aviv has cleaned out their sewer drains and piping system and built a sand-wall along the entire beach to prevent waves from crashing into the city and causing flooding to the building, hotels, apartments and stores in the coastal part of the city.

Netivei Israel, Israel’s Road Infrastructure Company has also prepared for the storm by clearing out storm drains and ditches along the side of highways that have been badly hit in the past by flooding. In addition, the company has already put on alert teams of engineers and road assistance personnel in order to provide service for anyone on the roads during the storm.

Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi David Lau also prepared for the storm in a unique way. Referencing the story of Choni Hama’agel, rabbi La traveled to the Kineret in order to say the special prayers for rain, which the Israeli rabbinate has decided to continue asking people to say. Rabbi Lau didn’t stop at just being near the Kineret, like Choni he went to stand in a circle, a small island that has been created in the middle of the Kineret, due to the continuing depletion of water from the lake.

“Last week on Thursday, we all stood together at the Kotel, in order to pray for rain Hand in hand we stood there and bowed our heads. The was some reprieve. At the beginning of the week, we had rain. I, therefore, call upon the entire people of Israel to take upon themselves not speaking badly about one another and striving to work together. That way God will look favorably upon us and give us rain. We are one people with one Kineret to share among all of us.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)