Cape Verde’s government has declared a state of emergency following catastrophic floods resulting from Tropical Storm Erin. The disaster has left nine dead and 1,500 citizens displaced across the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão.
Cape Verde Faces Crisis: State of Emergency Declared Amid Deadly Flooding
Cape Verde Faces Crisis: State of Emergency Declared Amid Deadly Flooding
Cape Verde grapples with devastation from horrifying floods that claimed lives and displaced thousands, prompting urgent state actions for recovery.
In an alarming response to the ongoing destruction, Cape Verde's authorities activated crisis protocols to allocate necessary resources for infrastructure recovery. The torrential rains delivered by Tropical Storm Erin resulted in an astounding 193mm (7.6 inches) of precipitation within five hours — a quantity that exceeded São Vicente's average annual rainfall, prompting comments from Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia who referred to the deluge as "catastrophic."
Rescue operations are actively searching for those reported missing, while widespread damage to homes, vehicles, and roadways has left many communities in crisis. Meteorologist Ester Brito emphasized the unusual nature of this weather event, as rainfall figures surpassed the nation’s 30-year climatological norms.
Interior Minister Paulo Rocha recounted the chaos of the night when floods struck, describing scenes of "panic and despair." Community mobilization efforts are underway, with Cape Verdean diasporas from France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US initiating crowdfunding campaigns for emergency supplies, which have already amassed tens of thousands of euros to procure food, water, and hygiene products.
Andreia Levy, president of the humanitarian organization Hello Cabo Verde in France, expressed the diaspora's commitment to delivering aid directly to those affected. Initiatives like these reflect a growing global awareness and solidarity in addressing climate-related disasters.
Rescue operations are actively searching for those reported missing, while widespread damage to homes, vehicles, and roadways has left many communities in crisis. Meteorologist Ester Brito emphasized the unusual nature of this weather event, as rainfall figures surpassed the nation’s 30-year climatological norms.
Interior Minister Paulo Rocha recounted the chaos of the night when floods struck, describing scenes of "panic and despair." Community mobilization efforts are underway, with Cape Verdean diasporas from France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US initiating crowdfunding campaigns for emergency supplies, which have already amassed tens of thousands of euros to procure food, water, and hygiene products.
Andreia Levy, president of the humanitarian organization Hello Cabo Verde in France, expressed the diaspora's commitment to delivering aid directly to those affected. Initiatives like these reflect a growing global awareness and solidarity in addressing climate-related disasters.
