At the council meeting held on November 12th, Fernando Caria highlighted the preventive work carried out in recent months, such as cleaning gutters, drains, and drainage systems, and clearing watercourses. Anticipatory measures such as school closures and public space restrictions were also mentioned.
According to the mayor, the municipal response began before the first incidents, with enhanced meteorological monitoring, risk assessment, and preparation of response resources. A Municipal Alert Situation was declared at 00:00 on November 10th, activating the Municipal Operational Coordination Centre, which operated 24 hours a day for both days.
More than 70 people were on the ground daily, including municipal workers, SMAS (Municipal Water and Sewerage Services) staff, the Municipal Civil Protection Service, and protection and rescue agents. Of the 64 incidents, 26 occurred on the 10th and 38 on the 11th.
Fernando Caria emphasized the role of the parish councils in directly resolving many situations, contributing to a close-proximity response.
“"Civil protection is not built solely in emergencies. It is built, above all, before them, through planning, prevention, preparation, and the ability to work together."
