[EARLIER UPDATES & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

17:00: The Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway was reopened to traffic a short time ago.

15:11: Lightning struck the control tower at Ben-Gurion International Airport. This may result in delays.

15:00: The Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway is reopening in both directions between Latrun and the capital. Kvish 6 is closing from Ben-Shemen to Nachshonim in both directions due to icy conditions.

14:09: A 13-year-old resident of Betar Illit was killed in the bus accident earlier between Tzur Hadassah and Beit Shemesh. It appears the bus slid out of control due to the inclement weather, striking a number of cars. The child was declared dead on the scene.

Magen David Adom reports a 43-year-old was transported in moderate condition as was an 18-year-old listed in light condition.

A military chopper was dispatched to assist with transport of victims due to the difficult road conditions.

14:20: The Ramat Gan Safari was closed due to the inclement weather.

14:04: Israel Police updates on Jerusalem road closures. The road from Ora Junction to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital is closed in both directions as is Route 444 from Ben Tzion Interchange to Ofir Junction in both directions. In addition, Route 9 from French Hill to Ramot is closed in both directions.

13:55: Vehicular accident between a bus and a number of cars on Route 375 in the Tzur Hadassah area. Preliminary reports state one fatality on the scene. Some of the injured are in serious condition.

13:40: A 74-year-old women is in moderate-to-serious condition in the Nahariya Hospital, apparently due to hypothermia from the extremely cold ambient temperature.

13:30: After a bout of heavy rain escorted by thunder and lightning, the snowfall has begun in the capital. The cold weather and strong winds are permitting the snow to accumulate.

13:13: Kvish 6 northbound closed from Daniel Interchange to Ben Shemen

13:04: Four containers fell into the sea at the Port of Haifa due to extremely strong winds.

12:44: Egged reports that it is suspending inter-city bus service to and from Yerushalayim.

12:42: Jerusalem City Hall announces ‘blue and white’ paid parking areas are now free of charge due to inclement weather.

12:36: Highway 1 reopens to vehicular traffic. Highway 443, the Jerusalem-Modi’in Highway, remains closed.

12:25: Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway, is closed to and from the capital to Latrun.

10:59: Zaka opens its command center in Jerusalem, which includes hundreds of jeeps and other equipment standing by as the storm intensifies.

10:57: Israel Electric Company reports 17,000 residents without power nationwide.

10:55: 15 vehicle accident reported between Tapuach Junction and Migdalim in Shomron. According to preliminary information, B”H most of the injuries are light.

10:49: Shomron – Route 60 closed from Tapuach Junction to the capital.

10:32:

• Police have reopened Highway 443 to and from the capital.
• Gush Etzion Regional Council officials report all public transportation has halted.
• The same is true for all bus service to and from the capital and Kiryat Arba/Hebron.
• Paid parking at blue & while areas in the capital will be canceled when snow begins to accumulate.
• Air pollution alert south of Gush Dan.

10:18: The Jerusalem-Modi’in Highway (Route 443) is closed from Gamzu Junction to the capital.

09:42: Rabbonim in the capital announce one will be able to call 02-621-4800 for information on the eruv when applicable.

09:15: Over 10cm (4 inches) have accumulated in Tzfas in a two-hour period.

08:58: Israel Electric Company reports the storm has already hit hard. A senior official explains “as I give you numbers they continue to change. Work crews are out operating in all areas to restore power to residents”.

MAIN STORY:

At present it is reported that “hundreds are without electricity in the Gush Dan area and thousands are without power in the north as well as in areas of Yehuda and Shomron”.

The predicted winter snow storm appears to be on schedule are the Golan Heights is snow covered this morning, Wednesday, 16 Teves. The storm is continuing to spread and at this hour, 08:30, the most prominent aspect of the storm is the strong wind gusts, exceeding 80 KPH (48 MPH).

Yerushalayim
In Yerushalayim, the announcement of school closures was made on Tuesday evening. Jerusalem City Hall continues to update residents via its website and smartphone apps. Residents are urged to remain off the roads if possible as the high winds make driving somewhat hazardous. Rain is falling in the capital as temperatures continue to drop. The temperature in the center of the capital is in the high 30sF, with a wind chill of 21F.

Emergency Agencies
Police and other emergency services stand ready. MDA has called in volunteers and emergency schedules have been set up, with drivers operating 12 hour shifts. Magen David Adom has also decided to place EMTs in police patrol cars, thereby permitting police to respond to calls for medical assistance until an ambulance arrives. MDA also mobilized drivers with 4-wheel drive vehicles and they will operate as fly cars for paramedics. Therefore, in addition to the ambulances MDA has found creative ways to make the most of its manpower during the expected storm. Ichud Hatzalah has been busy placing chains on its ambulances and response vehicles as well, including numerous specialize 4 X 4 vehicles. Ichud Hatzalah has also mobilized drivers with 4-wheel drive vehicles and their ambucycles will not be able to operate once the snow begins accumulating.

Highway Closures
Police on Wednesday morning have announced it appears that the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway (Rt. 1) and the Jerusalem-Modi’in Highway (Rt. 443) may be closed to and from the capital as early as 10AM.

Golan Heights
In the Golan Heights, many roads are closed as a result of the heavy snow accumulations in areas above 800 meters. Needless to say schools in the Golan Heights are closed too.

Some N. areas road closure:

• 8900 from Rosh Pina to Tzfas/Merion
• 864 from Marama to Beit Jon and between Choshem & Pekin
• 9779 between Kfar Giladi and Margalit
• 978 from West Junction heading northbound
• 99 from Mapal Saar northbound
• 98 from Ramat Magshimim northbound
• 87 from Keshet Yonatan Junction northbound
• 91 from Ein Zivan Junction northbound

Tzfas
Tzfas City Hall announced on Wednesday morning that schools would remain closed. The approach road to the city was blacked by snow during the early hours of the morning. Snow is also reported in Kfar Veradim in the Western Galil.

Yehuda & Shomron
Schools are also closed in Gush Etzion and reports indicate snowfall as begun in higher elevation communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron. Most public transportation in the Gush was halted earlier this morning. Power outages are reported in areas of the Shomron including Yitzhar, Itamar, Elon Moreh and Har Bracha.

Other Areas of the Country
Power outrages are reported in Binyamina, Zichron Yaakov, Pardes Chana, and Kibbutz Mishmeret. Israel Electric Company officials are working to restore power. They add the utility company stands ready to provide power at peak demand hours during the storm.

There are flood warnings in effect for areas in the south and the strong winds have already caused significant damage in many areas.

Helpful Numbers

• Gush Etzion Regional Council: 02-993-9910
• Israel Electric Company: 103
• Local city officials in most areas: 106
• Ministry of Education snow hotline: 1-800-250-025
• Hotline for updates on Jerusalem eruv: 02-621-4800
• Shomron Regional Council Moked: 1-700-700-106

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)