🔗 Share this article

This mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

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

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, located in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without water and power, and most structures have had their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the devastation personally, with an flyover of the area revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising more resilient and better,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.