Mayor Leading Recovery Efforts at Storm Melissa's Ground Zero
This mayor of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.
Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.
“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”
Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.
“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 experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”
Solomon explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest region of the area, is lacking water and power, and most structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.
Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.
The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the disaster.
“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.
Solomon believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.
“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies 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 moment,” he says.
The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an flyover of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.
“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed reporters.
“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.
