Mayor Guiding Recovery Work at Storm Melissa's Worst-Hit Area

This local leader of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are reported to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is lacking water and power, and most structures have lost their roofing. One official earlier described the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

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

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. The majority 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 witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.