It is snowing in Israel and everybody is tripping (& slipping) out.

Although Baby Jesus likely would approve of the scenery, it’s now becoming a bit dangerous for Jerusalemites.

On Friday, a snowstorm hit Israel and the initial joy of a rare snow appearance soon became a bit of a crisis. According to an Israeli newspaper, they have just experienced “the worst storm in decades.”

As power outages abounded in the freezing cold weather, the Israel Electric Corporation found it necessary to declare a nationwide state of emergency. Rescue teams quickly gained the monumental task of rescuing thousands of stranded travelers, and shelter immediately became necessary for hundreds of cold and hungry households.

Resulting flash floods have swept houses and people away–while there are no deaths reported, a man is missing and there have been some injuries.

The response has been efficient–volunteers are handing out food to anyone in need, the electric company is calling in emergency workers to repair felled power lines, and convention centers have been converted into shelters.

While some people are over it,

The snow in #Israel better be good & done by Wednesday! http://t.co/xgkgu08NyG

— Cheryl P. Stober (@cherylstober) December 13, 2013

It looks like this Twitterling got his last year’s wish granted:

I'm so jealous of everyone who has snow. I want snow so bad. But we don't have snow in Israel :((

— ✡ Yahel ✡ (@BieberSmiile) January 22, 2012

Kudos to the admirable effort from the Israeli government and citizens with preventing any deaths and assisting displaced individuals.

[image: twitter]