🔗 Share this article

The mayor of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, located in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is without running water and power, and most structures have lost their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.