Mayor Guiding Rebuilding Efforts at Hurricane Melissa's Worst-Hit Area

This mayor of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are confirmed to have died, but the mayor noted receiving word of other fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western parish of the area, is without water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofs. An authority earlier characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores 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.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons 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 says.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he says, the priority 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 get aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.