Israel Braces for Storm Byron

"Byron," which hit southern Greece and Cyprus in recent days and caused heavy flooding, is expected to arrive in our area on Wednesday and reach its peak on Thursday.

The storm will bring heavy rains, especially in the north of the country, in the center, and in the coastal plain and lowlands, with high amounts of precipitation expected to fall in short periods. There is a real concern that it could cause flooding in cities and flash floods in the streams of the Judean Desert.

Volunteers from the Gilot Yam HaMelach Rescue Unit have been put on alert and have completed preparations ahead of the arrival of Byron. This week, the unit also inaugurated a new rescue vehicle named 'Omer' in honor of Sergeant Omer Van Gelder who fell in battle in Gaza. Omer is the son of Hagai, a volunteer rescuer in the unit, and this is how they are honoring his legacy.

Meanwhile, the United Hatzalah organization has issued a series of guidelines to the public ahead of the rain system:

Stay in warm and protected places to avoid exposure to particularly cold and wet weather.Make sure to wear warm layered clothing, especially in the northern and central mountains (including Jerusalem).If you go out of the house, try to avoid prolonged exposure to cool and rainy weather.If there are signs of hypothermia (severe shivering, blue lips, unclear speech), seek medical help immediately.

Tips from the Traffic Safety Officers Department at United Hatzalah:

While Driving:

Slow down significantly - braking distance in the rain doubles.

Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle in front.

Avoid sudden brakes, sudden accelerations, and sharp turns.

Drive cautiously at intersections, traffic circles, and when entering turns.

Turn on headlights throughout the drive - even during the day.

Drive with patience - better to arrive late than not at all.

Be alert to riders and pedestrians - visibility is limited.

Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Services in Israel are also preparing at heightened alert ahead of the stormy weather expected to hit Israel until the end of the week.

This includes:

Reinforcing all units, including flood rescue units and the "Lahava" unit.Pre-deploying teams in sensitive areas and observation posts along streams and channels.Readiness of specialized equipment for flood rescue – boats, flow suits, advanced technological means.Operating command and control rooms 24/7 and coordination with all emergency agencies and local authorities.

Head of the Operations Division, Deputy Commissioner Yosef Deklo, summarized the preparation: "Ahead of the stormy weather, the Operations Division has completed intelligence-based preparation, relying on analysis of updated models from the Meteorological Service. According to what they have told us, we have concentrated forces in specific areas [which are prone to flooding] and placed special rescue units on alert, including boats and helicopters. Firefighting forces are deployed and ready for quick response to any scenario in coordination with other emergency [services]."

Dr Amir Givati, from the Meteorological Service told Ynet, "There will be a lot of rain, but it's not a storm like you would experience in America."

Safety Guidelines for the Public:

Do not cross flooded roads in any way, not on foot and not in a vehicle. This is a real life danger!Avoid going to streams, flow channels, or areas prone to flash floods.Do not enter basements, underground parking lots, or elevators during flooding.Follow the instructions of rescue forces and stay updated on weather forecasts.Fire and Rescue Services in Israel calls on the public to show responsibility, adhere to safety rules, and avoid actions that could endanger lives.