The damage was made painfully evident last week, when a massive power outage left millions of Spaniards and Portuguese without light or heat. The multi-day unprecedented blackout. Iberdrola and Gov. In testimony before Congress, officials responded by emphasizing the need to be prepared for these kinds of disruptive events. Restoration of power was nearly 100% complete by Tuesday. After the consequence has occurred, experts and authorities are now calling for residents to take appropriate preventative steps to protect their safety and health during crises.
The European Union’s response to the crisis included a call for all 450 million residents across the 27-nation bloc to stockpile essential supplies. Now, local and state authorities advise people to be ready to go at least 72 hours without electricity. You need to have food, water and other basic supplies on hand. Develop a communication plan for how you will contact each other in the event of an emergency.
Argo Kerb from the Estonian Rescue Board reminded us that preparation is everything. He noted that “preparedness is a shared responsibility. It’s a shared responsibility in a family, in a country, but it’s a shared responsibility in Europe and the world.” His comments really emphasize what it takes to respond to disasters and to do so safely.
Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, echoed this sentiment, urging individuals to have cash on hand during crises. She stated, “In the middle of a crisis, cash is king, and your credit card might just be a piece of plastic.” This advisory serves as a reminder of how digital payments—and all their conveniences—can fail when power and internet connectivity are lost.
Though national long-lasting power outages are uncommon, it only takes one storm to make us remember the need to be ready. Have some back up emergency supplies ready to go! Experts recommend having food and water easily accessible. While it’s impossible to avoid every inconvenience, this preparation can go a long way toward ensuring comfort and safety during an outage.
In Sweden, that is exactly what the government did. They sent out a four-page brochure entitled In Case of Crisis or War to every household. This guide suggests one gallon—or about three liters—of water per person per day. Only use this water for drinking and food preparation. In doing so, such guidelines can empower every household to better withstand any emergency scenario—temporary power outages included.
During any kind of blackout, we recommend you focus on your most basic needs first, like food, water, and safe shelter. People need to eat items in the fridge first, then the freezer, and then pantry items. The Estonian government released emergency instructions. Their guide suggests reducing the frequency of refrigerator and freezer openings in order to maintain cold temperatures as long as possible.
The recent blackout in Spain and Portugal created an increased demand for battery-powered radios as internet and cellphone services failed. This recent demand is a testament to the need for such alternative forms of communication and access to information during emergency situations.
While the scene continues to develop, authorities are still working to determine what led to the power outage. Though specifics are still murky, the attention has turned to how to be ready when the next one happens.
