The state of emergency was announced in Sao Vicente and Santo Anto

Cape Verde announced the state of emergency in the Sao Vicente and Santo Anto Islands, after the deadly floods that killed at least nine people and forced 1500 of their homes.

The state of emergency is active in crisis funds and urgent infrastructure repair in the Atlantic Ocean Islands off the western coast of Africa.

The sudden floods were operated on Monday by Erin’s tropical storm, which led to 193 mm (7.6 inches) of rain in just five hours, much higher than the annual average of Sawsente.

Deputy Prime Minister Olafo Correa told the BBC that the floods were “catastrophic”.

Rescue teams are desperately looking for missing persons, while roads, homes and vehicles have been severely damaged.

Commenting on the heavy rains, he told ESter Brito from the country’s meteorological institute Reuters that the weather conditions were not common.

“It is a rare situation because what has been registered is higher than the average climate specialist for 30 years.”

Speaking to the local media, MS BRITO added that the country had no radar equipment required to predict the extent of rain.

Describing the moment hit by the floods, Interior Minister Paulo Rocha said that tonight “was characterized by panic and despair,” according to Reuters reports.

Alveno Yali, a societal organizer in Sao Vicente, the most affected island, described the situation as “an incredible moment of heavy rains, strong winds and sudden floods, which leads to significant material losses.”

The diaspora in Cape Verdeian, especially in France, Luxembourg, Portugal and the United States, launched urgent group financing campaigns.

Tens of thousands of euros have already been raised to buy food, water, hygiene products and emergency supplies.

Andrea Levy, Hello Cabo Verde’s president in France, told BBC that the entire diaspora has been filled and planned to provide assistance directly.