City Leader Leading Recovery Efforts at Hurricane Melissa's Worst-Hit Area
The mayor of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.
Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.
“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”
Several people from the town are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.
“Storm Melissa arrived around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.
“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”
The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million residents without power. A landslide 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 rescue their belongings.
Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.
He is now concentrating on working to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.
“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.
Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.
“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.
The prime minister has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the region showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.
“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and better,” he informed local media.
“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.
