The Wednesday night 7 Iyar lightening storm and showers exceeded the expectations of most forecasters. According to Israeli weather experts, the storm marks the first time in weather recording history that rainfall was recorded in every weather recording station in Israel in May. Rainfall in the Shvelah area was measured between 50-80mm, ten times the annual average. There was 34mm of rain in Yerushalayim as well. The level of the Kinneret has risen 2.5cm (1 inch) as a result of the rainfall.

The bus carrying US tourists on a Bnei Akiva trip realized at some point the water levels were rising and the current had effectively shut area roads. An emergency call was placed and police and the Shvelah Search & Rescue team was activated as was the air force’s 669 elite aerial rescue unit. After a period of time the experts were able to determine that all the travelers were safe and no one was in a perilous situation. Consulting with the air force and others, the decision was made to delay the rescue until the early morning hours, at which time an air force helicopter pulled 70 Bnei Akiva travelers out of the area to safety. Police report that for the youths it was an adventure.

Over 30 SUVs belonging to members of the search & rescue team operated in the area to remove others as well. Baruch Hashem there was no reports of injuries.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)