At least eight people are confirmed dead and three remain missing after record-breaking floods devastated Cape Verde’s Sao Vicente island on Monday. The disaster followed an unprecedented five-hour downpour that dumped 193 millimeters of rain — nearly twice the island’s annual average — as Tropical Storm Erin passed nearby. Local authorities said seven victims drowned in the floods, while one person died from electrocution. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported nine fatalities and confirmed that more than 1,500 people have been displaced.
The deluge severed key roads, including the main route to Cesária Évora International Airport, and triggered rockfalls that blocked traffic. While the airport remained open, Interior Minister Paulo Rocha described the night as one of “panic and despair,” with emergency crews overwhelmed by a surge of distress calls.
Rescue and recovery operations are still underway, with police, firefighters, and Red Cross teams working to locate the missing, clear debris, and restore essential services. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious as water levels recede and warned that more landslides could occur. The flooding has been described as one of the worst weather disasters in Cape Verde’s recent history, raising concerns about the increasing impact of extreme weather events on the island nation.
