🔗 Share this article

This mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, 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 severely affected southwest region of the area, is lacking water and power, and most structures have had their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

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

“It is going to be a massive task to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.