Javea, like the rest of Spain, Portugal and parts of France, experienced one of the strangest situations on Monday, April 28th, when it was affected by a massive power outage for 11 hours.
Everything began around 12:30 p.m., when the population was suddenly left without power and communication, as the power outage had also affected mobile and internet networks. Fortunately, the water supply remained stable throughout the emergency.
Activation of CECOPAL
Faced with the massive outage, Javea council’s Operational Coordination Center (CECOPAL) was activated, remaining in permanent session to coordinate assistance efforts, prioritising support for the most vulnerable groups. Both Civil Protection and the Local Police worked closely and constantly with 112 and other emergency services to ensure a rapid and effective response to any incident.
The Firefighters’ Consortium carried out various operations, primarily involving elevator rescues and opening residential doors.
Affected businesses
The incident caught us in the middle of a festive holiday. While most businesses were closed at the time of the blackout, the hospitality industry was in full swing. Many bars and restaurants, unable to use their electric cookers or electronic payment systems, were forced to close their doors suddenly, causing huge financial losses and disrupting normal routine..
Suspension of activities
Due to the massive power outage, the last bullfighting session of the festivities in honor of Jesus of Nazareth was suspended. (😀)
Regarding health issues, Dénia Health Department maintained emergency services with generators, but all outpatient and non-urgent surgery appointments were canceled. Urgent care was guaranteed.
Likewise, in the educational sphere, the Emergency Coordination Centre ssued a statement recommending that schools in the Valencian Community reopen their doors on the following day, and maintain their dining and transportation services, but without teaching activities, due to the emergency declaration.
Mayor Rosa Cardona: assessment of the emergency situation
The council expressed its gratitude for “the collaboration and understanding of all citizens,” acknowledging the patience and responsibility shown in the face of an unprecedented emergency situation in the municipality. Furthermore, 17 volunteers from Javea Civil Protection provided various assistance services to residents and supported essential infrastructure for the town’s operations, always in collaboration with the Local Police, the Civil Guard, Red Cross Xà bia y AMJASA.
The mayor, Rosa Cardona, issued a statement taking stock of the situation: «Yesterday, Monday (April 28), Xà bia experienced a national emergency, with a massive power and telecommunications outage that left the entire population isolated.
Faced with this situation, the Town Hall activated the CECOPAL (Municipal Operational Coordination Center) on two occasions, and all municipal, security, and emergency services acted in a coordinated manner to provide an immediate response to the needs of the citizens.
The Local Police, Civil Protection, Red Cross, volunteers from Balcón al Mar, the head of the desalination plant, the head of the wastewater treatment plant, the Civil Guard, the AMJASA company, the social services and the City Council’s IT services. Constant communication was also maintained with the municipal health center to address any urgent health needs.
From the outset, priority was given to safety, direct assistance to the most vulnerable, and coordinated work on the ground. The usual communication channels were down due to the power outage, and were not restored until 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, making it impossible to provide information through the usual municipal media.
Given the impossibility of communicating through the usual channels, three fixed Local Police information points were set up, one in each urban area of ​​the municipality, to provide information directly to residents.
Communication was maintained thanks to the direct intervention of the mobilized personnel, who worked at all times to respond to the public.
As mayor, I deeply appreciate the collaboration of all the bodies and services involved, as well as the understanding and patience of all citizens.”
Source: Javea.com