Hebron Mayor Dr. Daoud Zatari said that the snow storm has blown over without claiming any lives thanks to joint efforts and responsible cooperation between staff, inhabitants and the media. “The Operation Room also played a major role: it responded to more than 1200 emergency calls, provided assistance to health institutions and helped safeguard lives and properties. Hebron Electricity Co. and the city’s power supply witnessed little disturbances despite heavy snow and gusty wind conditions. Power cuts in certain areas were caused by a failure in power lines owned by 'Israel Electric Corporation’ which feeds Hebron.
Electric loads were nevertheless soundly managed and distributed, ensuring continuous power supply to over 90% of customers during the peak of the storm, while power was restored to affected areas in record time. These achievements were made possible thanks to a great and highly skilled team that was capable of implementing plans and responding rapidly to urgent instructions”, he said.
Moreover, Hebron Municipality cleared snow off all major roads and streets leading to hospitals, clinics, security apparatuses and emergency centers, keeping them open at all times. Its well-equipped vehicles assisted ambulances, helped those stranded in the snow, provided logistical support to all Governorate bodies and delivered basic staples including milk, food and cooking gas to stranded populations.
Despite all these efforts, the city suffered huge material losses estimated at millions of dollars in the electricity, roads, water, agriculture and industry sectors. Official loss figures shall be released in the near future.
Weather reports indicate that frost is expected in lowlands while a layer of ice might form in areas with a higher altitude in the next two days. Moreover, rapid snowmelt might cause flooding. This means that Hebron Municipality will have a lot on its plate in the coming days. Hebron Mayor called on the city’s inhabitants to be extremely careful, to avoid using their cars in the early morning hours and to respect all instructions issued by the Operation Room.
It is to be noted that several officials visited Hebron Municipality and its Operation Room in the past few days, including Hebron Governor Mr. Kamel Hmeid, Major Nader Hajji, Head of the Military Liaison Office in Hebron, and Lieutenant Mohamad Al A’raj.