Cape Verde has declared a state of emergency on São Vicente and Santo Antão following devastating floods caused by Tropical Storm Erin, which killed at least nine people and displaced 1,500 residents. The storms dumped 193mm (7.6in) of rain in just five hours—well above São Vicente’s yearly average—triggering flash floods that damaged roads, homes, and vehicles.
Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia called the floods “catastrophic” as rescue teams searched for missing persons. Meteorologist Ester Brito said the rainfall far exceeded 30-year climate averages and noted that Cape Verde lacks radar equipment to predict such events.
Interior Minister Paulo Rocha described the night as “marked by panic and despair,” while community leader Alveno Yali reported “significant material losses” in São Vicente, the hardest-hit island.
The Cape Verdean diaspora in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US has launched urgent crowdfunding campaigns, raising tens of thousands of euros to supply food, water, hygiene products, and other essentials. Andreia Levy of Hello Cabo Verde in France said the community is fully mobilised to deliver aid directly.
The emergency declaration enables the release of crisis funds and urgent infrastructure repairs, as authorities race to support victims and restore essential services.
