Mayor Guiding Rebuilding Efforts at Hurricane Melissa's Ground Zero
The mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.
Speaking on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.
“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”
Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.
“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts 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 hoping 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 stated that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and most structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.
Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.
He is now concentrating on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping 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 experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.
The mayor estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.
“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver 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 dire straits at this moment,” he adds.
National leadership has seen the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.
“This will be a massive task to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging stronger and improved,” he informed reporters.
“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.
