Jeddah residents are bracing themselves this week for possible heavy rainfall following reports in the Arabic press last week. A newspaper reported that Jeddah could in all probability witness rain on Monday, but the forecast was proven not accurate. Despite this, Jeddah residents began stocking up for possible floods.

There were also tweets circulating about unconfirmed weather reports forecasting rain on Tuesday. Some of the people who experienced pain and suffering from the Jeddah floods last year promised not to step outside even if only dark clouds gather over the city. They fear that they could get stuck outside their home. 

The news about the rain was hot on Twitter and other social media sites. There were many tweets on Twitter that parents were not going to take any chances and will keep their children home from school. Some users reported SMS messages being sent from their schools to their cell phones announcing a day off on Tuesday.

Some users also reported that they received phone calls from the administration of their private schools giving them the choice to send their children to school or not if it was cloudy or even if it drizzles.

The Civil Defense played an important role in the past two flooding disasters by conducting search and rescue operations. In a statement issued by the Civil Defense, it was announced that they are on full alert and ready for any emergencies.

Some tweets commended their efforts saying that they are now better trained and their responsiveness and efficiency in, God forbid, any coming disaster, will be well handled. Another tweet was rumored to be circulating that it was raining in Thuwal, about 100 km north of Jeddah, and the rain was moving south and expected to hit Jeddah. A quick response to the rumor from a Twitter user from Thuwal reported that there was no rain, the sky was clear and the weather was nice, easing the fears of the tweeting community.

Jeddah rain is being debated in many Internet discussion forums. Some people reported that rain may strike any time. Some deliberations focused on people residing in possible danger areas in the city to move north to any furnished apartment.

Forums and Facebook pages are all discussing the flood projects, with many calling for the need to have international companies, possibly from Germany, handling the city projects instead of relying on local contractors.

Despite all the talk, users on Twitter, Facebook and other Internet websites were unified in praying for a safe day.