🔗 Share this article

The local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around 8 a.m. and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any further, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now focused on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

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

The mayor believes that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

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

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed reporters.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.