City Leader Guiding Rebuilding Efforts at Hurricane Melissa's Worst-Hit Area
This mayor of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense flooding and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.
Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.
“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”
Several people from the town are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.
“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.
“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. That was a frightening moment 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 climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”
Solomon stated that the town, located in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over half a million residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their belongings.
Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.
He is now focused on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.
“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof 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 aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.
Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.
“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this time,” he says.
The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an flyover of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.
“This will be a enormous task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and better,” he told reporters.
“We will get it done. So keep the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.
