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No-one thought it could ever happen, but they were proved wrong on Monday 23rd January, when both power lines supplying the island with electricity were bought down by the strong winds and snow. At least 8 pylons were down in the Platies area and at least 5 pylons in the Fiscardo region. All the new wind turbines were damaged too, so literally, Kefalonia was in complete darkness.
Thankfully, the weather was kind during the day and for the first few days it was actually quite nice having an unexpected winter barbecue (the only way of cooking), but once the sun went down, the nights were were long, dark and cold.
After throwing the food away in the defrosted fridges, the main inconvenience was the lack of water (the water is pumped by electricity in most areas)– not being able to flush the toilet, and unable to have a shower or wash your hair.
But with the Kefalonians surviving two world wars and a major earthquake, and the British stiff upper lip, a week without electricity was survived with relatively good spirits.
Obviously though, thousands of Euros worth of claims will be flying in from supermarkets, butchers, delis etc. for goods and trade lost, due to a week without power.
The only ones who have come out of this with a smile on their faces were the suppliers of generators, (as everyone who could afford to bought one) and the suppliers of propane gas bottles and heaters. Not forgetting the children who also had yet another week off school!
Power was back on throughout the day on Sunday 29th, when the power line from Fiscardo was connected again, but the Poros power line will need quite a few days yet before the pylons there have been replaced and connected.
The two photographs below were taken in Platies area. It’s hard to believe they were once mighty pylons carrying power to the whole island!
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