When the storm swells began this Sunday, June 25, the residents of Caleta Lo Rojas, in the Coronel district, watched as the sea mercilessly entered their homes. Given this scenario, Marisol Ortega, representative of the cove’s algae collectors, helped to form an emergency operation along with Enel Generation Chile employees.
The main problem they faced was flooding of houses and to deal with it, the Company sent two backhoes and a hopper truck loaded with rocks to reinforce the coastline. In addition, families were given bags of charcoal to dry their homes
Marisol praised the Company’s immediate response, "in half an hour we had everything available, with staff in the field. This company is part of the district and responded as such." The leader said that this has been the hardest winter that they have ever been through and that they have seen how the swells have been destroying everything.
In addition, the leader said that they must remain alert for what is left of the storm, which they hope to be able to deal with in a better way with the company’s collaboration, "we know that the strongest part of the storm is still to come. We want to create a work committee with the municipality, social leaders, and the company to be able to deal with this type of events."
Krasna Pereira, who is in charge of Sustainability and Innovation of Enel Chile, said that an emergency plan was activated to mitigate the impacts of the strong swells that are striking the bay of Coronel. She added that "machinery was implemented that is working in conjunction with the Port Captaincy, to protect the coastal edge and the residents who are most exposed in this territory."