Hurricanes are fairly unusual in Cape Verde. Normally they form south of the islands and head west to the Americas. Although this is now the hurricane season, there have been none so far. This is understood to be because El Niño is reducing tropical development in the Atlantic. However, over the last few days tropical storm Gonzalo has hit the country. This brought heavy rain and strong winds resulting in waves up to four metres in height. The effects of the storm were greater on the eastern islands, with Sal island taking a significant battering.
Santa Maria was hit very hard, with roads and hotels flooded. The Avenida dos Hoteis (Avenue of Hotels) was under water and cars were banned from using the road (see picture). The storm uprooted trees, and tore down construction site fences and equipment. The Santa Maria pier reconstruction site was badly affected as were the beach bars such as the Morazeba Beach Club building.
This is one of the main tourist areas in the country. However, within hours the clean-up had started and people were working hard to get things back to normal. Tourists were still out and about in Santa Maria and some surfers were enjoying the bigger waves.
[29 Sept 2026]
