They walk along muddy roads, searching the debris for food. Others enter damaged stores in hopes of finding bottled water or other supplies.
As the death toll rises, Black River residents are still searching for loved ones while fighting to survive, days after the , which turned this port city into the epicenter of the devastation sweeping the Caribbean.
Residents say since Melissa hit them as one of the strongest Category 5 storms ever recorded in the area.
The fierce winds and storm that swept through the city destroyed almost everything, leaving the roads impassable and a path of desolation behind them. Residents are increasingly desperate and isolated, without electricity or water.
Overturned boats lie on the sidewalks, brick buildings are cut in two, huge sheets of metal are twisted between tree branches, vehicles are found wrecked.
The testimonies
they said they had yet to see aid trucks in the area and described eating whatever food they could find among the debris on the streets of the coastal town, about 150 kilometers west of the capital, Kingston.
Others entered damaged supermarkets, taking what they could. Some, climbing into a partially destroyed market, threw food and bottles of water to people below, whose arms were outstretched.
“We have to use what we find here, on the street and in the shops,” explained Demar Walker, sitting in a shady corner to escape the heat and the 80 percent humidity. He said he and others were forced to climb into the supermarket, whose roof had collapsed, and took what they could. They also threw water and food to others in need. “We weren’t selfish, we had to give to others too,” he said.
Raid on pharmacies
Nearby, others told the BBC that a local pharmacy was ransacked in Black River, describing scenes of anarchy as people came in and out carrying armfuls of medicine and alcohol.
“I saw things covered in mud being pulled out,” Aldwayne Tomlinson said. “At first I thought the shop was still open, but then I understood. I heard a woman say, “I need alcohol.” Then I realized that they were also looting the pharmacy.”
A little further down, a woman on a pile of rubble described the situation as “chaos, absolute chaos. No food at all. No water at all. We don’t have access to money. We need help. No help has come,” Segun Braham added.
Fight for survival
Survival is the main concern for most here. The other is the increasing number of dead. Jamaican authorities said Thursday that at least 19 people had died, up from 5 the previous day. Another 30 died in neighboring Haiti.
“In my community we have dead bodies there,” Mr Walker said. He has not heard from his family and does not know if they survived. He stays where he can in Black River, while his eight-year-old son is in Westmoreland. “There’s no way I can get to my family to see if they’re okay,” he said, his eyes filling with tears. The roads are impassable, there is no mobile signal, no electricity or water.
“The entire city of Black River is devastated,” said Mayor Richard Solomon. He pointed out the desperation of the looting residents and said that although he does not condone it, he understands it. “It’s a delicate balance,” he said. “Some take what they can find from the wreckage, but others become more violent, breaking into other people’s properties to find supplies.”
Local authorities estimate that 90% of houses have been destroyed, as well as critical infrastructure, the hospital, police station and fire station.
“There are whole communities locked out, areas that look like they’ve been flattened,” said Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon.
Relief supplies are now arriving at Kingston’s main airport, but smaller regional airports remain partially out of service.
Aid organizations and the military are transporting supplies by road, but many roads remain inaccessible, such as in Black River.
The town is two hours from Kingston, but the main road is flooded, damaged and blocked by cars.
At noon Friday, a fleet of military helicopters flew over the Black River. many hoping that they were bringing much-needed supplies. Armed officers with machine guns descended on the streets, and soon the mobs looting the pharmacy and supermarket dispersed. The road was cleared of cars.
