🔗 Share this article

This local leader of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water 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 I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is without water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

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

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.