Israel braces as winter storms set to continue Wednesday

Traffic police and emergency teams taking precautions to deal with effects of severe weather conditions; forecast predicts more rain, high winds and some flooding.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Refaim river in Jerusalem flooded due to rain (Vidoe: Zvi Cohen)
Extreme weather conditions were expected to continue Wednesday after a deluge of heavy winter rain storms hit Israel on Tuesday.
The heavy overnight rains throughout the country helped Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) rise by 3.5 cm. It now stands at 212.83 meters below sea level, only 17 cm. below the Kinneret's red line.
Rains hit the country's center the hardest, with between 60 and 100 mm. of water in areas. In the Galilee and Golan Heights, there were 30 mm. of rain.
The risk of flooding prevailed and occasional thunderstorms were slated to continue Wednesday across the country from the North to the Negev with snowfall on Mount Hermon.
The forecast also predicted unseasonably cool, high-speed winds, reaching some 100 km/h (62 mph).
The Israel Meteorological Service warned of possible flash floods along the coastal plain and in the wadis in the eastern and southern parts of the country. 
Traffic police and emergency teams have been preparing to deal with the effects of severe weather conditions and have deployed officers and volunteer workers to areas prone to flooding where detours may be needed, Israel Radio reported.
Authorities cautioned drivers to operate carefully.