Mayor Guiding Rebuilding Work at Storm Melissa's Worst-Hit Area
The mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation caused by the catastrophe.
Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor described enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.
“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”
Five individuals from the town are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.
“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.
“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary moment for us.”
The mayor stated that the town, located in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier described the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed 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 possessions.
Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.
The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.
“My vehicle was totally covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.
Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.
“Efforts are underway to get 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 persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.
The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.
“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told local media.
“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.
