🔗 Share this article

The local leader of the town of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

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

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

Several people from Black River are confirmed to have died, but the mayor noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, situated in the hard-hit southwest parish of the area, is without water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously described the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes 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 totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told reporters.

“We will get it done. So keep the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.