City Leader Guiding Rebuilding Efforts at Hurricane Melissa's Epicenter

This mayor of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. 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 I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit southwest parish of the area, is without running water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. 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 essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing 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 relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.