black river, jamaica
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Jamaica’s coastal city of Black River, once considered a tropical paradise, is now being compared to “Hell on Earth” after being devastated by Hurricane Melissa.
Many of the town’s colorful houses, historic buildings, and lush greenery are now reduced to piles of rubble strewn across the muddy ground.
“We don’t have a place to stay,” Brittney Sams, a resident of Black River’s Vineyard District, told CNN.
Black River was one of the hardest hit areas in all of Jamaica. As the hurricane raged on, storm surge of up to 16 feet flooded parts of the area. St. Elizabeth Police Superintendent Coleridge Minto announced Wednesday that at least two people died there and their bodies were found floating in the water after the storm passed.
Hundreds of survivors are now walking the streets in shock, trying to come to terms with the dire situation they face.
Many people have lost their homes and are wondering where to take shelter.
“We live in a dormitory, and everything is gone, including the dressers and the stove,” Sams said, sitting next to another resident next to a shopping cart filled with her remaining belongings.
“It was a nice, quiet, very docile town,” said a man from a nearby town after inspecting the devastation. It’s “hell on earth” right now, he says.
The town’s narrow streets are now cluttered with metal roof panels, concrete debris and all sorts of trash brought in by the water.
Screams of agony often echo throughout the town as residents walk around in circles searching for loved ones or surveying the damage.
Heat and humidity further complicate recovery efforts. People who survived the storm have set up makeshift camps, but nothing remains.
Mayor Richard Solomon said the situation was catastrophic. “Based on what we’re observing here, catastrophic is a mild word,” he said.
Adding to the devastation, Solomon said the storm had “wiped out” the town’s relief supplies and water damage had disabled emergency vehicles. This delayed the ability of authorities to provide much-needed aid.
Dozens of residents were seen clearing the shelves of stricken supermarkets in desperation, grabbing basic necessities such as food and water.
“There is no looting,” a resident told CNN. “This is about trying to survive. It’s survival right now.” He said police were also on the scene, but to assist rather than deter.
Many roads remain closed due to debris, fallen trees and flooding, making it difficult to get outside help.
Emergency personnel and defense forces are gradually arriving and helping as much as possible. But residents say that aid won’t arrive soon.
“I need shelter. I need food for my children. I need clothes for them,” said the woman, who identified herself as Anyaripi. “And not just for me, but for everyone who comes to help us. Jamaica really needs your help. We are becoming extinct here.”
