Jerusalem braces for storm ‘three times worse’ than what has been seen so far
Municipality urging everyone to stay indoors as weather conditions worsen; electric corp. declares national state of emergency; tens of thousands left without power
Wow!! Nobody saw this coming - even though it's been raining for 1 1/2 weeks in Israel (about a month worth of rain!). We thought at first we'd have a little snow on Friday because the temperatures dropped dramatically. Then it began falling hard on Thursday morning...then again Thursday night...then we woke up Friday morning to LOTS of snow....now they're calling for even MORE!!! The article above (which also has pictures) says it snowed in Cairo for the first time in 112 years! Jerusalem's mayor said he's never seen it snow like this before.
This weekend will officially be 3 years since we arrived in Israel, and even though snow in Jerusalem is rare, we have now had our 3rd winter with snow! The other two times it only lasted a few hours, though....this time it's days. What starts out as beautiful and fun, however, has become quite dangerous for many, many people.
There aren't too many roads that lead to Jerusalem, and during this storm, they have been closed off several times - which, although it has stranded drivers, has undoubtedly saved lives. Those who have been here are familiar with the mountainous terrain. Thousands have been rescued by the IDF and police, and shelters have been set up including at the Convention Center in Jerusalem.
Thousands of people are without power, and if you know the buildings here (all stone, NO insulation) then you know the need to pray! Especially for the elderly, very young, and sick. There are trees down everywhere causing many challenges. Please also pray for the workers out in this - the Israel Defense Forces, the police, the electric company, Magen David Adom (Red Shield of David - the ambulance and emergency units), the firemen and other emergency personnel.
We've had our own adventures amongst all of this - and no, we don't mean playing in all this white stuff....
First, Jim was supposed to take a short term volunteer to the airport Thursday for an evening flight. When we woke to the conditions that morning, it was decided that he should try to take a sherut (van taxi that can carry 10 people) that are constantly doing airport runs to and from Jerusalem. When called, however, we found that they were not taking any more reservations due to the weather. We then tried to drive to the office to get the company car which would hopefully get us to the airport. We were driving in the big cargo van we had at our house - we had just delivered 300 sweatshirts to the IDF K9 unit the afternoon before, so it was now empty and very light. We didn't get too far however, when heading up the first hill on Keren Hayesod. Linda had to jump out and direct traffic around (in a 4-lane main road) while Jim went backwards (and slid) down the road until he could turn around.
When we got home, Jim was going to walk to the office (about an hour in the snow) to get the car - when another coworker called and said he was at the office! He was our angel! He was on his way home and lives near us, so he brought us the car. We then picked up the volunteer and headed to the airport. God miraculously provided a window of opportunity where the roads leading in and out of Jerusalem were opened back up - our one goal was to get home before dark, when things would certainly freeze back up again! Praise to His Name - we got home before things got bad again.
After we were home and just had dinner, a staff member called. She was at the office, having miraculously gotten back to Jerusalem from the airport (She was had been out of the country. We tried to call her to give her a ride since we were there, but her phone was off.). She said the ceiling in the ground floor women's bathroom had caved in, a circuit was blown (which also caused the computer servers to go out), and she was "stranded"! The sherut she convinced to bring her, would only take her to Ammunition Hill, and she then took the light-rail train to the office, and hadn't seen any taxis.
Well, we went in - with our "angel friend" as well - he's in charge of the techie stuff and computers. Jim really needed to check out the ceiling, and also two other staff members were in the office in the morning and a window was open!!!! Rain and snow everywhere! Big mess. They cleaned up, and checked the rest of the windows, but Jim also checked it out when we got there. There are TWO windows (side by side) even though we usually only open the one on the right. Well, the one on the left wasn't locked down, so the strong winds blew it open. We went through the whole building and found several more like that and locked them.
We cleaned the mess in the bathroom, it really did cave in a hole about 1/2 meter big. Our friend fixed the server, and we all headed home. :)
Then today (Friday)...Sharon (the co-founder of CFI) was returning home from being gone to the Far East for 1 1/2 months. When she arrive early this morning, she was informed the only way to Jerusalem was the train. She took this, with a friend she was traveling with, and set out. Next thing we heard, the train was stopped a ways out before the climb to Jerusalem because they needed to clear the tracks!! When she arrived at the Jerusalem train station, there were hundreds of stranded people, with no public transportation. Jim went to pick Sharon (and her friend) up at the train station. In the mean time, while Sharon was trying to get home, Ray (her husband, and co-founder of CFI) said the power was out at their house!
BUT - Praise The Lord, He provided another window of time for Jim to drive. Linda didn't go on this trip, because there would be a lot of luggage and no room. The sun came out and melted the roads to make them passable when he needed to go! And their power was back on by the time Jim dropped Sharon off!
With everything yesterday and today, we are happy now that everyone is settled and where they're supposed to be. And I am VERY proud of my husband. He had the best attitude through the whole thing. He arrived home safe, and then fell sleep while watching an American football game. I have made him hot chili for dinner and brownies with mint frosting. :)
But wait! Less than two hours ago.....we received another phone call! The security company called and said the alarm had been engaged at the office, and did we know if someone had been in the building....so Jim ventured out again....
While he was gone, the newest storm warning came out, telling everyone to be off the roads by 4 pm - it was going to get even worse!!! Jim did arrive home (a little after 4...) and we are looking forward to a Shabbat of what will hopefully be quite, peace, rest, and cuddling up to keep warm with the snow falling VERY hard outside once again. It's always an adventure.....
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