The islands of Cape Verde have suffered catastrophic flooding following Tropical Storm Erin, resulting in widespread damage and loss of life.
Cape Verde Declares State of Emergency Amidst Deadly Floods
Cape Verde Declares State of Emergency Amidst Deadly Floods
State of emergency activated as Cape Verde faces catastrophic flooding crisis
The Cape Verdean government has declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão after heavy floods claimed at least nine lives and displaced around 1,500 residents. This decision aims to mobilize urgent crisis funds and expedite essential infrastructure repairs in the archipelago located off the west coast of Africa.
The devastating floods occurred following the landfall of Tropical Storm Erin, which unleashed an unprecedented amount of rain—193mm (7.6 inches) in a mere five hours—significantly exceeding São Vicente’s typical annual rainfall. According to Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia, the country is undergoing "catastrophic" conditions. Rescue operations are currently underway to find missing individuals, while extensive damage to roads, homes, and vehicles has been reported.
Ester Brito, representing the country's meteorological agency, noted that this extreme weather phenomenon is extraordinarily rare and far above the 30-year climatological average.
Interior Minister Paulo Rocha described the chaotic night when the floods struck as filled with "panic and despair." Community leader Alveno Yali called the situation extraordinary, citing the combination of heavy rain, strong winds, and flash floods that caused severe material losses.
In response, Cape Verde's diaspora, particularly from France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US, has initiated urgent crowdfunding campaigns, successfully raising tens of thousands of euros to provide food, water, hygiene products, and other emergency supplies. Andreia Levy, president of Hello Cabo Verde in France, confirmed that the entire diaspora is actively mobilizing to send aid directly to those affected.
The devastating floods occurred following the landfall of Tropical Storm Erin, which unleashed an unprecedented amount of rain—193mm (7.6 inches) in a mere five hours—significantly exceeding São Vicente’s typical annual rainfall. According to Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia, the country is undergoing "catastrophic" conditions. Rescue operations are currently underway to find missing individuals, while extensive damage to roads, homes, and vehicles has been reported.
Ester Brito, representing the country's meteorological agency, noted that this extreme weather phenomenon is extraordinarily rare and far above the 30-year climatological average.
Interior Minister Paulo Rocha described the chaotic night when the floods struck as filled with "panic and despair." Community leader Alveno Yali called the situation extraordinary, citing the combination of heavy rain, strong winds, and flash floods that caused severe material losses.
In response, Cape Verde's diaspora, particularly from France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US, has initiated urgent crowdfunding campaigns, successfully raising tens of thousands of euros to provide food, water, hygiene products, and other emergency supplies. Andreia Levy, president of Hello Cabo Verde in France, confirmed that the entire diaspora is actively mobilizing to send aid directly to those affected.
