Cars piled up and half buried under rocks in Santo Antonio, a village outside Funchal. (AP Photo/Octavio Passos)

SHOCKED Islanders who have lost loved ones and homes in the devastating flash floods in Madeira are making their way back to the Portuguese island.

It has been revealed that some Islanders’ homes in Madeira have been destroyed and members of their family have been killed. Authorities in Madeira have confirmed that at least 42 people died in the weekend storm and mudslides.

The Estrela Travel Portuguese Agency, in St Saviour, has helped to book a number of flights for Madeirans living in Jersey who have been affected by the disaster. Assistant manager Anita Tomas said that people were very shocked.

She said that some had lost members of their families and one woman had lost her home. ‘It is an emotional time at the moment. It is not nice,’ she said. ‘On Monday I helped five people to get back to Madeira. One lady had lost everything and her house in Funchal was destroyed.’

How you can help
• Donations can be made on the Jersey Side by Side website: Click here
• Collection boxes have been placed in parish halls, and businesses can contact the charity’s secretary, Trenna Forrest, on 743076 to obtain collection boxes
• Donations can be dropped off at the Town Hall via the post box or at reception. Cheques should be made payable to Side by Side
• Anyone wishing to contribute to the appeal, volunteer to collect money or organise an event under the Jersey Side by Side banner should contact Mrs Forrest on 743076
• Over-the-counter donations can be made at Barclays Bank
• Donations can be sent to Mrs Forrest at Chant de la Mer, 4 Les Fourneaux, Rue de la Corbière, St Brelade,
JE3 8HP
• Anyone donating more than £100 should fill out an R10 form to claim back the tax on the donation
The majority of people have booked one-way flights because they do not know how long they will be in Madeira. Others have paid around £500 to get home.