Iñigo, a doctor at a hospital in northern Spain, described the recent power outage as chaotic. The hospital’s emergency generators were reserved for critical areas, leaving staff without access to patient data, communication, and the ability to carry out certain duties. The backup generator was meant to ensure surgeries continued, but out-of-order lifts and safety concerns forced cancellations. The blackout affected about 55 million people in Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France, causing disruptions in mobile signal, traffic lights, supermarkets, and more.
Residents were advised to stockpile essentials for 72 hours, highlighting the vulnerability to widespread disruption. People reflected on the incident, emphasizing the need for more backup generators and preparedness for future events. Meanwhile, Beibei in Barcelona initially found the outage exciting but soon realized its severity when faced with challenges like food shortages and cashless transactions.
Doug Craib shared his experience of being stranded on a train during the outage, while Catarina in Porto prepared for water shortages and listened to updates on a wind-up radio. Despite the challenges, she found hope in the community coming together during difficult times.
The power outage highlighted the importance of preparedness, resilience, and the value of basic necessities like food and water. It also shed light on the reliance on technology and the need for backup systems in times of crisis.
Overall, the incident serves as a reminder to appreciate the simple things in life and to be ready for unforeseen circumstances.
Dia melihat mobil berhenti untuk pejalan kaki tanpa lampu lalu lintas, baris besar namun tertib untuk bus, taman penuh dengan orang yang membaca, bermain olahraga, membuat BBQ dengan keluarga, teman, dan tetangga, penduduk yang berbicara dengan orang yang lewat dari pintu mereka.
“Itu luar biasa,” katanya. “Meskipun ada banyak hal yang salah, itu memberi saya banyak harapan pada manusia untuk melihat betapa cepatnya orang-orang berkumpul dan membantu satu sama lain.”