Cape Verde has declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão following devastating flash floods triggered by Tropical Storm Erin.
The floods have killed at least nine people, forced 1,500 from their homes, and severely damaged roads, homes, and vehicles. Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia described the situation as “catastrophic”, with rescue teams desperately searching for missing people.
The floods were caused by unprecedented rainfall, with 193mm of rain falling in just five hours, far exceeding São Vicente’s annual average.
The country’s meteorology institute confirmed that the extreme weather event shattered 30-year rainfall records, and climatologist Ester Brito admitted that the nation lacked adequate radar systems to predict the storm’s intensity.
The Cape Verdean diaspora, particularly in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US, have launched urgent crowdfunding campaigns, raising tens of thousands of euros for food, water, hygiene products, and emergency supplies. Andreia Levy, president of Hello Cabo Verde in France, said the entire diaspora was mobilized and planned to deliver aid directly to survivors.
The state of emergency declaration unlocks crisis funds for urgent repairs to infrastructure, including power grids, water systems, and transportation networks critical for the islands’ tourism-dependent economy.
The disaster is reigniting debates about infrastructure resilience, with many buildings lacking flood-resistant designs.
