Cape Verde has declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão following catastrophic floods that have killed at least nine people and displaced 1,500 others. The devastating flash floods, caused by Tropical Storm Erin, inundated the islands with 193mm (7.6 inches) of rain in just five hours, far surpassing the annual rainfall average for São Vicente.
The Cape Verdean government has activated crisis funds and set in motion urgent infrastructure repairs to mitigate the damage caused by the floods. Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia described the floods as “catastrophic,” with rescue teams continuing to search for missing persons. Roads, homes, and vehicles have been severely damaged, compounding the difficulties for those affected.
Meteorologist Ester Brito stated that the weather conditions were unusually severe, noting that the rainfall exceeded the country’s 30-year climatological average. Cape Verde’s lack of radar equipment made it impossible to predict the full extent of the storm, further complicating the response efforts.
The floods struck suddenly, creating an atmosphere of panic and despair. Interior Minister Paulo Rocha described the night of the storm as “marked by panic and despair.” Alveno Yali, a community organizer in São Vicente, called the event an “incredible moment of heavy rains, strong winds, and flash floods, resulting in significant material losses.”
In response to the crisis, the Cape Verdean diaspora, especially in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US, has launched crowdfunding campaigns. Tens of thousands of euros have already been raised to provide food, water, hygiene products, and other emergency supplies to those affected. Andreia Levy, president of Hello Cabo Verde in France, confirmed that aid would be delivered directly to the islands.
As Cape Verde works to recover from this devastating disaster, international support and local resilience will be key in providing relief and rebuilding efforts. The state of emergency will enable the country to access the necessary resources and support to assist those in need.
