Cape Verde has declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão following devastating floods that have killed at least nine people and displaced around 1,500 residents. The declaration, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia, triggers the release of crisis funds and the launch of urgent infrastructure repairs in the Atlantic Ocean archipelago off West Africa’s coast.
The disaster struck on Monday when Tropical Storm Erin unleashed an unprecedented 193 millimetres (7.6 inches) of rain in just five hours far surpassing São Vicente’s average annual rainfall. The torrents destroyed roads, inundated homes, and swept away vehicles, leaving entire neighbourhoods in chaos.
Rescue teams are continuing to search for missing persons amid widespread damage. Interior Minister Paulo Rocha described the night of the floods as “marked by panic and despair.” Alveno Yali, a community organiser in São Vicente, called it “an incredible moment of heavy rains, strong winds, and flash floods, resulting in significant material losses.”
Meteorologists have described the event as highly unusual. Ester Brito, from Cape Verde’s meteorology institute, told Reuters that the rainfall exceeded the country’s 30-year climatological average, adding that the nation lacks the radar technology needed to predict such intense downpours.
The crisis has sparked a wave of solidarity from Cape Verde’s large diaspora, especially in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the United States. Communities abroad have launched urgent crowdfunding campaigns, raising tens of thousands of euros to purchase food, water, hygiene products, and other emergency supplies.
Andreia Levy, president of the France-based organisation Hello Cabo Verde, told the BBC that “the entire diaspora is mobilised” and pledged to deliver aid directly to the affected areas.
Authorities are now working to restore basic services, reopen access roads, and provide shelter for displaced families. However, with meteorologists warning of more unstable weather ahead, the government is urging residents to remain alert.
The floods have underscored Cape Verde’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, a risk that experts say is likely to increase due to climate change. For now, the focus remains on saving lives, reuniting families, and beginning the long process of recovery.
