Key Highlights
- Residents of Black River, Jamaica, are facing desperate conditions after Hurricane Melissa.
- The death toll is rising as aid efforts struggle to reach those in need.
- Looting and scavenging for supplies have become common due to the lack of food and water.
- Aid agencies and military are bringing supplies, but many roads remain impassable.
Desperation Grips Black River After Devastating Hurricane Melissa
The small Jamaican port city of Black River is in a state of chaos following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful category five storms ever recorded in the region. Just 21 hours ago, residents reported being without food and water as they scavenged through debris for supplies.
Devastating Impact on Infrastructure
With its infrastructure severely damaged, Black River presents a scene of destruction with capsized boats lining the roadsides, brick buildings split in half, and vehicles scattered amidst twisted metal sheets. According to Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s Information Minister, nearly 90% of houses in the town have been destroyed, leaving many residents homeless.
Rising Death Toll and Chaos
The death toll has risen significantly since Melissa made landfall. In Jamaica alone, at least 19 people had died as of Thursday, a significant increase from the initial count of five. Neighboring Haiti also reported 30 deaths due to the storm.
Survival is the primary concern for many residents, who are resorting to looting and scavenging in damaged stores. Demar Walker, a local resident interviewed by BBC, explained that they had no choice but to take what they could find: “We have to use whatever we see here, on the street and also in the supermarket.” This situation has led to an atmosphere of desperation with locals searching for basic necessities such as food and water.
Efforts to Provide Aid
Aid supplies are starting to arrive more rapidly at the main airport in Kingston. However, smaller regional airports remain only partly operational, making it difficult to transport assistance directly to areas like Black River. The military has been instrumental in bringing in crucial supplies from Kingston by land, but many roads are still flooded or damaged.
Local medic Michael Tharkurdeen recounted the chaos during and after the storm: “We were upstairs; the entire bottom floor was flooded.
The water was around maybe four feet going five feet.” He also described finding a man who had been lifeless once the floodwaters receded, highlighting the critical need for medical support in these disaster-stricken areas.
As aid efforts continue to face challenges, residents like Shawn Morris express hope for recovery: “St Elizabeth, we want it to come back again. It’s not about the money; we need food and water.” The resilience of the community is evident as people help each other in this time of crisis, but the road to recovery remains long.
