In a tragic turn of events, Cape Verde’s islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão are facing a state of emergency due to catastrophic flooding that has claimed the lives of at least nine individuals and displaced around 1,500 residents from their homes. The unstable weather, a result of Tropical Storm Erin, unleashed an extraordinary 193mm (7.6 inches) of rain within just five hours, greatly surpassing the average annual rainfall for São Vicente.
Cape Verde Enacts State of Emergency Following Deadly Flooding Crisis
Cape Verde Enacts State of Emergency Following Deadly Flooding Crisis
Cape Verde has declared a state of emergency as severe flooding from Tropical Storm Erin leads to loss of life and displacement of thousands.
Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia described the impact of the floods as "catastrophic," with recovery teams urgently searching for missing persons amidst reports of severely damaged infrastructure, including roads, homes, and vehicles. Ester Brito from the meteorology institute noted that the extreme weather conditions are unusual, highlighting that the rainfall recorded was beyond the country’s 30-year climatological average, and pointed out the lack of radars to predict such severe rainfall events.
Interior Minister Paulo Rocha articulated the widespread panic experienced during the storm, stating that the night was filled with "panic and despair." Community organizer Alveno Yali from São Vicente depicted the event as a moment marked by intense rainfall and strong winds leading to substantial losses.
In response to the devastation, the Cape Verdean diaspora, particularly in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the United States, has initiated urgent crowdfunding efforts. Tens of thousands of euros have already been pledged to gather food, water, hygiene items, and emergency supplies. Andreia Levy, the president of Hello Cabo Verde in France, echoed the solidarity of the diaspora, confirming their commitment to delivering aid directly to those affected.
As rescue operations continue, the need for support and resources remains critical in restoring normalcy to the islands devastated by this natural disaster.
Interior Minister Paulo Rocha articulated the widespread panic experienced during the storm, stating that the night was filled with "panic and despair." Community organizer Alveno Yali from São Vicente depicted the event as a moment marked by intense rainfall and strong winds leading to substantial losses.
In response to the devastation, the Cape Verdean diaspora, particularly in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the United States, has initiated urgent crowdfunding efforts. Tens of thousands of euros have already been pledged to gather food, water, hygiene items, and emergency supplies. Andreia Levy, the president of Hello Cabo Verde in France, echoed the solidarity of the diaspora, confirming their commitment to delivering aid directly to those affected.
As rescue operations continue, the need for support and resources remains critical in restoring normalcy to the islands devastated by this natural disaster.
