Israel’s 11-day Storm Ends; Heavy Damages Reported

Estimates of three million pounds in damage($8,400,000) as a result of the storms which have lashed Israel during the past 11 days were being revised sharply upward today as the skies cleared throughout most of the country and flood waters dropped.

Less than a day before the storm finally ended heavy rains caused new floods in various areas and brought the lowering flood waters to new highs, re-flooding roads and bridges and causing the collapse of many buildings. Rescue operations, although hampered by the continuing rain, continued with thousands of volunteers who responded to official calls for manpower for the emergency. The third direct casualty of the storms which have ravaged the country for a week-and-a-half occurred Monday near Tel Aviv when a woman was drowned in flood waters.

All plans for celebration of Chanukah, the Feast of Lights, which began Sunday night, were cancelled because of the flood situation. Gifts prepared for Chanukah celebrations were being sent to the children evacuated from the immigrant work camps and now being temporarily sheltered in school buildings and other public edifices.

Government agencies have distributed more than 100,000 free rations to storm and flood victims in the immigrant work camps. The absorption department of the Jewish Agency has issued an appeal to workers’ organizations to begin immediate collection of shoes and warm clothing, especially for children.

The flood situation was discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet which lauded the Army and the police force for their energetic rescue measures and voted additional funds for assistance of the immigrant work camps. The work of women’s groups came in for particular praise. Members of 40 chapters of the WIZO were active in helping immigrants in the immigrant villages and evacuees, particularly caring for children in preparing food. Mizrachi women’s organization members distributed large quantities of clothing to evacuees and toys to children.