“We have activated our internal contingency plans, given the forecast circumstances, with various mitigating measures implemented according to the characteristics of each island,” stated Isabel Barata, EDA’s communications director.
According to Isabel Barata, EDA teams “are prepared and on standby to try to ensure the continuity of electricity supply and the safeguarding of equipment.”
“We are closely and carefully monitoring the evolution of this phenomenon to adjust the necessary measures,” she added.
Barata further explained that within these contingency plans, each island has certain operational procedures, precautions, and means ready as needed to try, as far as possible, to maintain the regular supply of electricity in the archipelago.
“Our plans are activated and we will monitor the situation at every moment, also attempting to adapt the procedures based on events,” she emphasized.
Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to pass through the Azores as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most severe). This is expected to worsen weather conditions starting late today. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed the Central and Western island groups on red alert due to the forecast of rainfall, wind, and maritime disturbance.
The Regional Government announced today that the Azores will declare a state of alert between 18:00 today and 18:00 on Friday in the Central and Western groups, prohibiting certain activities due to the cyclone’s passage.
On Wednesday, the Azorean executive had already ordered the closure of schools and public services on the seven islands of the Western and Central groups from 18:00 today until 18:00 on Friday.
