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There is a storm alert for most of Israel on Monday, 25 Teves 5773 as thundershowers are being blown in with wind gusts expected to reach 100KPH (60MPH).

The winter storm began on Sunday, resulting in flooding in the Herzliya train station that compelled shutting service north of the city. Flooding was so bad that rescue teams had to extricate seven people and a dog from the station. It appears the drainage system malfunctioned. Israel Railway officials on Sunday night admitted they were doubtful if they would succeed pumping out the station by the morning rush hour as the heavy rains were not letting up. As the sun rose on Monday morning it became clear to all that the train station would remain out of service. Buses are standing by to transport commuters to bus stations in other areas.

Flooding was significant in Netanya and other areas too and irate commuters had harsh words for Israel Railway operations, questioning how the tracks flood so easily, leaving thousands of commuters stranded on a Sunday morning as they return to work. Soldiers found themselves in the midst of the commuter snarls, and many arrived late back in their bases as a result.

Jerusalem Fire Department spokesman Assaf Abras reports they received many calls during the early morning hours as a result of the high winds. He confirmed that trees had fallen in areas of the capital as in some case; traffic signals were down or partially down as a result of the high wind gusts. He concluded the department is preparing for a snow alert in response to the forecast for snow in the capital on Wednesday night. Abras urged citizens to use caution and common sense regarding the use of heaters to avoid any catastrophes chas v’sholom.

Today, Monday, promises more extreme weather as temperatures continue to drop and the weatherman promises the rains will increase in significantly. Precipitation is expected from the Golan Heights to the northern Negev.

Israel Electric Company has called in may off duty employees to address power outages and trees are being knocked down in many areas. Route 652 between Pardes Chana and Givat Ada is closed on Monday morning as a result of downed trees. There are reports of damage to vehicles from downed trees in many areas, including Hadera and the Har Nof area of the capital. (See photos of the latter).

In Bnei Brak, a 50-year-old man was injured as a result of a tree collapse on Bartinura Street near Shelah Street. Hatzalah Gush Dan EMT Ushi Slomowitz called the incident “a miracle”, explaining a branch from the tree struck the man, but hit his back in such a way that the injuries were light.

In Kiryat Shmona on Monday morning, rescue personnel pulled a woman from her flooded home. Baruch Hashem her condition was reported to be good.

The Golan Heights is preparing for heavy snowfall, which brings smiles to the faces of the Golan ski lodge. Early Monday morning ski resort officials reported over a half a meter of accumulations on the upper slope and heavy snow continued to fall. In the nation’s capital, salt is being prepared as the Wednesday night threat of snow appears more serious than first believed as temperatures continue to drop.

There is a flood alert in place for low lying areas, and motorists heading south are advised to check with Israel Police and weather officials to ascertain the condition of roads in the flood-prone areas.

The forecast in some areas for today:

Golan Heights 7-9C (44-48F), Upper Galil 5-6 (41-42), Haifa 9-11 (48-51), Kinneret 11-13 (51-55), Dead Sea 14-20 (57-68), Tel Aviv 11-15 (51-59), Jerusalem 5-9 (41-48), Beersheva 9-15 (48-59) and Eilat 11-18 (51-64).

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos by Gershon Markowitz, Jerusalem/ חדשות 24.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)