City Leader Leading Recovery Efforts at Hurricane Melissa's Epicenter

This local leader of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

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

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western parish of the area, is without water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofs. An authority earlier characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on working to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.