Vasco Cordeiro expressed his recognition of willingness shown by the Azorean population in the prevention of Hurricane Alex
The President of the Government expressed his recognition of the availability and dedication of hundreds of people who were involved at various levels in the prevention system created for the passage of Hurricane Alex in the archipelago.
"We owe them a word of recognition for their work, their dedication and their efforts. A few hundred people, including firefighters and members of the regional and municipal Civil Protection services, governmental departments and local authorities, among others, who have been available" over the past few days, stressed Vasco Cordeiro.
The President of the Government spoke Friday to journalists in the village of São Roque on the island of São Miguel. He considered that the "best contribution that each Azorean can give to this effort and dedication is, precisely, the compliance with the recommendations issued by the Civil Protection for this type of situation."
Making a final assessment on the passage of Hurricane Alex in the archipelago, Vasco Cordeiro added that there were no significant damages, but only some minor incidents like floods, some landslides and falling trees, among others. These situations were solved throughout the day by regional and municipal Civil Protection teams, local authorities and the governmental departments that were on the ground.
"I believe that this result was achieved due to the care taken by the Azorean population in the compliance with the recommendations issued by the Civil Protection in due course," said the President of the Government. According to him, the fact that no serious damages were registered "cannot be a reason not to follow these recommendations with utmost rigour."
"It is always important to emphasise the need to follow the recommendations issued by the Civil Protection, which are based on data released by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere" stressed Vasco Cordeiro.
The President of the Regional Government has been monitoring the weather situation at the headquarters of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) since Thursday evening, taking into consideration that the forecasts indicated that the Central Group would be hit the hardest by Hurricane Alex.