Mayor Guiding Recovery Efforts at Storm Melissa's Epicenter

This mayor of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

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

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water 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 upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official previously described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, 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.

National leadership has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.