🔗 Share this article

This mayor of the town of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on trying to help the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

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