Be prepared for a power outage, keep cash on hand
A widespread power outage occurred suddenly on Monday afternoon in Spain and Portugal, where all electrical services stopped in moments.
So far, the reasons for this massive outage remain unknown, although the power supply has gradually returned. However, the incident has raised concerns about the possibility of similar failures in other European countries such as Austria.
In response to this, the spokesperson for the Austrian army, Michael Bauer, pointed out on platform X a guideline explaining how to prepare for a continent-wide power outage, including the disruption of infrastructure and supply networks. The outage is not limited to losing light in homes but extends to communication towers, traffic signals, streetlights, electronic payment devices, and ATMs.
In the event of such a scenario, authorities emphasize the need for prior preparation, especially in terms of financial liquidity. Experts advise having cash available at home, preferably in the form of small bills and coins, as exchanging large notes like 100 euros will be difficult in the absence of electricity.
The Austrian National Bank recommends keeping an amount of 100 euros for each family member, while the Civil Protection Association in the state of Oberösterreich indicates that the appropriate amount is 500 euros for each family. The goal is to ensure the ability to purchase basic necessities even in the absence of banking and electronic services.