According to forecasters, another winter storm is expected to move in beginning on Thursday, 9 Shevat and continue until erev Shabbos, during the afternoon early evening hours. Heavy showers are expected, accompanied by heavy wind gusts and lower temperatures. Minimal snow accumulations are possible in the capital should temperatures drop sufficiently.

The Jerusalem Municipality Emergency Division is completing its preparations for stormy weather and recommends that residents maintain safety, prepare for the stormy weather and listen to the instructions distributed in the media.

Mayor Nir Barkat instructed community and welfare officials to take care of street people, the elderly and the needy in order to provide them with warm equipment and a place to sleep if necessary.

The operational bodies are prepared to deal with the hazards as necessary, and will provide pruning teams, maintenance teams, light crews, municipal tractors and other tools to deal with the hazards.

The Municipal Hotline 106 will be reinforced in order to respond to the residents’ requests.

It should be noted that despite the low chance of snow, the municipality is preparing to clear the main roads and to assist emergency and rescue forces.

The municipal emergency headquarters will operate in a continuous manner in order to respond to any possible scenario.

Instructions for residents:

The residents and business owners are asked to keep their respective areas clean, not to throw cartons and garbage bags out of the garbage cans for fear of blocking the drainage openings.

Persons are asked to cut trees and branches in private gardens in close proximity to the cables and remove the cuttings in a regulated manner, check the safety of electrical systems and equip them with emergency lighting and heating kits. It is important to strengthen antennas, solar water heaters and other objects on the roofs and balconies.

It is recommended:

Check the integrity of the heating system, especially those that require ventilation, as well as proper electrical and gas connections to prevent a short circuit / shower / gas leakage.

In addition, make sure to seal roofs and openings (windows and shutters), clean and open water drainage cells in yards and gutters on the roofs. In addition, objects that are not held and may fall from a high place or fly such as flowerpots / planters, furniture and signs should be removed.

Avoid staying under sheds, pergolas, huts or temporary structures.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)