City Leader Guiding Rebuilding Efforts at Storm Melissa's Ground Zero

This mayor of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel difficulties.

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

“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 more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is without water and power, and most structures have had their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the damage personally, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.