Mayor Guiding Rebuilding Work at Hurricane Melissa's Worst-Hit Area
This mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.
Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.
“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”
Several people from the town are reported to have died, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.
“The hurricane came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.
“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”
Solomon stated that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofs. An authority earlier described the town as flooded, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.
Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.
The mayor is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.
“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.
The mayor believes that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.
“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.
The prime minister has seen the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.
“It is going to be a enormous task to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed reporters.
“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.
