City Leader Guiding Recovery Work at Storm Melissa's Worst-Hit Area

This local leader of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, located in the severely affected southwest region of the area, is without water and electricity, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an flyover of the area showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

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