🔗 Share this article

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

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the mayor recalled riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping 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 scary experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the severely affected south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million residents without power. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now focused on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our supermarkets, 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 says.

The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and better,” he told local media.

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