Terrifying Friday the 13th: Everything you need to know about the massive CFE blackout
Yesterday was Friday the 13th, and as if fate wanted to play a nasty prank on us, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) reminded us that in Mexico, even the power takes a break. From early morning, the massive CFE blackout began plunging entire colonies into darkness, and social media was buzzing more than ever. If you found yourself in the dark or know someone who still hasn't gotten their power back, here's the full story, and along the way, I'll give you a guide to survive the next power cut.
Which colonies were left without power?
The chaos started around 10 in the morning. In Mexico City, colonies like Doctores, Roma Norte, Condesa, and parts of Coyoacán started going dark as if someone had put the city on airplane mode. Reports quickly came in from the State of Mexico: Naucalpan, Tlalnepantla, and Ecatepec also joined the list of places in the shadows. But the massive CFE blackout didn't stop in the center of the country; in Morelos, scheduled power cuts affected Cuernavaca and Temixco, just as many people suspected since the CFE had subtly hinted at it.
The most affected were those in the middle of working from home or those who had their cooking half-done on the stove. My friend from the Del Valle colony sent me a desperate message because his chicken had thawed. Yes, that's how sudden it all was.
The blackout review: what went wrong?
If we do a quick massive CFE blackout review, what really ticked people off the most was the lack of real-time information. The CFE announced it was scheduled maintenance work, but many of us found out when we were already in the dark. In Cuernavaca, for example, the power cut in Temixco lasted almost four hours, and the neighbors ended up having a little get-together on the street with candles and coolers. That said, service began to be restored around 4 in the afternoon, although in some areas it stretched until night.
On social media, the massive CFE blackout started trending. There were memes of all kinds: from the classic "the electricity bill has arrived" to those saying it was a preview of the apocalypse. But jokes aside, the real issue is that these power cuts catch us off guard time and time again.
Survival guide: how to use the blackout to your advantage
Since the CFE doesn't give us as much notice as we'd like, here's my massive CFE blackout guide so you're not caught off guard next time. Because yes, this is going to happen again. Take note:
- Always have a torch and batteries handy. Don't rely on your phone's flashlight, because if your battery isn't charged, you'll be left in the dark ages.
- Never open the refrigerator. Every time you open it, the cold air escapes and your groceries can spoil. If you know a power cut is coming, freeze water bottles to help maintain the temperature.
- Charge your phone and your power bank. As soon as you see your neighbour lighting a candle, run to plug everything in. Don't wait for the power to go out.
- Follow the CFE's official accounts. Sometimes they do announce things on Twitter, but if you don't want to rely on that, join your colony's WhatsApp groups; there's always a kind soul who shares the official communication.
- Keep cash on hand. With a blackout, ATMs and card machines also go kaput. If you need to buy something, cash is always king.
But hey, it's not all bad. If you know how to use a massive CFE blackout to disconnect from the world, it can be the perfect excuse to chat with your family, read that book you've abandoned, or just take a nap without your phone interrupting you. It's all about perspective.
What's next: more blackouts on the horizon?
Scheduled power cuts aren't new. The CFE has said this work is to improve the power grid, but deep down we all know that in Mexico, whenever the temperature rises or there's high demand, the power just says "enough". If you live in areas like the ones mentioned, stay alert. You know how the CFE is: they announce things, but sometimes the announcement comes after the power cut. So be prepared, have your emergency kit ready, and don't be complacent, because these massive blackouts will continue to be a part of our daily lives.
And you, how did you experience yesterday's blackout? Tell me if you had a hard time or if, on the contrary, it was a welcome break from the routine. Meanwhile, I'm going to keep a lamp charged, just in case.