Rebuilding Black River after Hurricane Melissa: A Treacherous Task Ahead
As I ventured into Black River, Jamaica's southwestern parish of St Elizabeth, I was met with a scene of utter devastation. The Category 5 hurricane that made landfall on Tuesday has left an indelible mark on the town, transforming it into a treacherous obstacle course.
The road to Black River is now a perilous journey, lined with uprooted trees, lamp posts, and rubble from landslides. Miles of thick, slippery silt from severe flooding have made it difficult for vehicles to navigate through the streets. The most daunting challenge, however, lies in the water that has become a barrier between communities.
As I traveled through the town, I witnessed mind-boggling destruction to buildings and homes, some of which were gutted or packed with debris. The air is thick with the smell of mud and saltwater, a constant reminder of the storm's fury.
For many residents, including Beverly Stephens, who survived the storm with her son and elderly mother, life has been turned upside down. "Tell the world that Jamaica needs help," she begged through tears. Her story is just one among many as the town struggles to come to terms with the scale of destruction.
The death toll from Hurricane Melissa is estimated to be 50-19 in Jamaica and 31 in Haiti, with communication networks still largely down in Jamaica and Cuba. The full extent of the damage could take days to confirm, but one thing is clear: this storm has left an indelible mark on the Caribbean.
Tourists, including Sri Sudevi and Rachel Dimond, who were stranded in Treasure Beach during the Covid-19 crisis, have been touched by the resilience of the local community. "Treasure Beach people look after each other," said Sudevi, who praised the town's strength and camaraderie in the face of disaster.
Local chef Candace Dryden has been leading a World Food Kitchen operation to provide hot meals and drinking water to residents without power or running water. Her words of hope remind us that even in the midst of destruction, there is always a chance for renewal and rebirth.
Climate change experts like Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie have warned that this storm is just another sign of a larger trend: more frequent, stronger, and wetter storms. The science is clear: drastic reductions in global emissions are necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change.
As I left St Elizabeth in the late evening, heavy-duty military vehicles could be seen navigating the difficult roads, carrying what people hope will be relief for those caught in Melissa's aftermath. Rebuilding Black River will be a treacherous task ahead, but with community spirit and determination, it is possible to rebuild stronger than before.
"How do you rebuild all this?" Aston McCatty, a hotel owner, asked, pointing across the road to a demolished parish church. The answer lies in the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of community bonds. As one resident put it, "We're just a little bit uncomfortable right now but we still have each other and we're still here cooking with love."
As I ventured into Black River, Jamaica's southwestern parish of St Elizabeth, I was met with a scene of utter devastation. The Category 5 hurricane that made landfall on Tuesday has left an indelible mark on the town, transforming it into a treacherous obstacle course.
The road to Black River is now a perilous journey, lined with uprooted trees, lamp posts, and rubble from landslides. Miles of thick, slippery silt from severe flooding have made it difficult for vehicles to navigate through the streets. The most daunting challenge, however, lies in the water that has become a barrier between communities.
As I traveled through the town, I witnessed mind-boggling destruction to buildings and homes, some of which were gutted or packed with debris. The air is thick with the smell of mud and saltwater, a constant reminder of the storm's fury.
For many residents, including Beverly Stephens, who survived the storm with her son and elderly mother, life has been turned upside down. "Tell the world that Jamaica needs help," she begged through tears. Her story is just one among many as the town struggles to come to terms with the scale of destruction.
The death toll from Hurricane Melissa is estimated to be 50-19 in Jamaica and 31 in Haiti, with communication networks still largely down in Jamaica and Cuba. The full extent of the damage could take days to confirm, but one thing is clear: this storm has left an indelible mark on the Caribbean.
Tourists, including Sri Sudevi and Rachel Dimond, who were stranded in Treasure Beach during the Covid-19 crisis, have been touched by the resilience of the local community. "Treasure Beach people look after each other," said Sudevi, who praised the town's strength and camaraderie in the face of disaster.
Local chef Candace Dryden has been leading a World Food Kitchen operation to provide hot meals and drinking water to residents without power or running water. Her words of hope remind us that even in the midst of destruction, there is always a chance for renewal and rebirth.
Climate change experts like Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie have warned that this storm is just another sign of a larger trend: more frequent, stronger, and wetter storms. The science is clear: drastic reductions in global emissions are necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change.
As I left St Elizabeth in the late evening, heavy-duty military vehicles could be seen navigating the difficult roads, carrying what people hope will be relief for those caught in Melissa's aftermath. Rebuilding Black River will be a treacherous task ahead, but with community spirit and determination, it is possible to rebuild stronger than before.
"How do you rebuild all this?" Aston McCatty, a hotel owner, asked, pointing across the road to a demolished parish church. The answer lies in the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of community bonds. As one resident put it, "We're just a little bit uncomfortable right now but we still have each other and we're still here cooking with love."
The fact that people are already rallying together to provide food and water for those in need shows that the community spirit is strong. I mean, who needs fancy "rebuilding plans" when you have folks like Candace Dryden leading the way? We should just let the local economy take care of itself and see what happens. The less government intervention, the better. And honestly, a little bit of mud and saltwater never hurt anyone... 
The destruction is just devastating. I mean, 50-19 deaths in Jamaica alone is heartbreaking 
And the thought of more frequent, stronger storms hitting us is terrifying 
. We need to take action on climate change ASAP 
. But at the same time, I'm seeing so much hope and resilience from the community 
. People like Candace Dryden who are leading initiatives like World Food Kitchen are making a real difference 
. And tourists like Sri Sudevi and Rachel Dimond showing up to support the locals is amazing 
. We need more of that kind of kindness and generosity right now 
. Let's get behind our Caribbean neighbors and help them rebuild stronger than ever 
.
This storm is like nothing I've seen before. The destruction in Black River is insane - how do you even start to rebuild after something like that? 
It's not just the physical damage, it's the whole community coming together to support each other. That's what's gonna get Jamaica back on its feet 
And what about all the tourists who were already supposed to be here for a holiday? It's like the storm took everything away from everyone 
.
. We need those drastic reductions in global emissions ASAP 
.
i mean we need more people like candace dryden leading initiatives like this in our own communities. and yeah climate change is no joke, 50-19 deaths in jamaica alone is staggering let's hope the world takes notice and starts making some drastic changes ASAP 
. And the damage? Whoa, it’s insane! It's making me think about my own place and how I'd cope if something like that happened. Climate change experts are saying we need to reduce emissions big time 
.
The more I think about this, the more it feels like we've lost touch with what's truly important – community and human connection. In the midst of all this destruction, you'd expect to see a lot more division and chaos, but instead, people are coming together to support each other in ways that feel almost... old-fashioned? 
The volunteers working tirelessly to provide food and shelter for those in need, like Candace Dryden – it's heartwarming, but also a bit disheartening when you think about how often this kind of selflessness is expected in our society. 
the roads are impassable the water is contaminated and people's lives are literally turned upside down 50-19 dead in jamaica alone is just heartbreaking 
i met some amazing locals who are doing everything they can to help each other out, from cooking meals to providing aid. it's inspiring to see people coming together like this.
but instead of complaining they're actually helping out and showing appreciation for the community's strength 
! But for now, let's focus on supporting our friends in St Elizabeth 
. And those tourists who survived the Covid crisis? They're an inspiration to us all 
. We'll get through this, Jamaica! You got this 
my heart goes out to everyone affected by Hurricane Melissa 
50+ lives lost already 
but on the bright side, the community spirit is strong 
Candace Dryden's World Food Kitchen is literally saving lives right now