🔗 Share this article

This mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“The hurricane came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any further, 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, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is lacking water and power, and most buildings have had their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged 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 getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising more resilient and improved,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.