🔗 Share this article Mayor Guiding Recovery Efforts at Storm Melissa's Worst-Hit Area The local leader of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe. Satellite images reveal the town of Black River before and following the impact of the powerful hurricane. Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre. “The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.” Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel difficulties. “Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added. Mayor Richard Solomon surveying the aftermath in the wake of the disaster. “We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.” Solomon explained that Black River, situated in the hard-hit southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and most structures have had their roofing. One official previously described the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions. Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon. He is now focused on working to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster. “My vehicle was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I do understand the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains. The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town. “Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says. The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost. “It is going to be a enormous task to rebuild this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can envision a future of it rising more resilient and improved,” he informed local media. “We will get it done. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.