Cape Verde has been plunged into crisis after record-breaking rainfall unleashed deadly flash floods on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão. The disaster has left at least nine people dead, more than 1,500 displaced, and caused extensive destruction to homes, roads, and vehicles.
The government has formally declared a state of emergency, unlocking crisis funds and launching urgent repairs to damaged infrastructure. Officials confirmed that the floods struck late on Monday when Tropical Storm Erin dumped an extraordinary 193mm of rain in just five hours — far exceeding São Vicente’s usual yearly total.
Emergency crews are still searching for missing residents amid the wreckage. Meteorologists described the weather as highly unusual for the region, noting that Cape Verde currently lacks advanced radar systems to predict such extreme events.
Local leaders recounted scenes of chaos as floodwaters surged through communities, sweeping away property and forcing families to flee. The island of São Vicente has been identified as the worst-hit area, with both wind and water damage compounding the disaster.
The Cape Verdean diaspora — particularly in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the United States — has launched emergency fundraising drives, collecting tens of thousands of euros for food, water, hygiene supplies, and other relief materials. Community organisations abroad say they plan to deliver assistance directly to those most affected.
