The once-bustling coastal town has turned into a scene of desperation — mud-choked streets, toppled buildings, overturned boats, and stranded vehicles paint a grim picture of survival. With power and water lines destroyed, thousands of residents remain cut off from their families and basic necessities.
According to BBC reports, the city has been in chaos for the past three days, with locals desperately searching for food and water.
“Whatever we find on the road, we are eating that,” said Demar Walker, a resident of Black River. “We took water from a supermarket, but shared it with others.”
Images from the disaster zone show people retrieving food packets and juice bottles from collapsed houses. In nearby New River, roads remain submerged and dead animals are floating in stagnant water, creating a foul stench across neighborhoods.
19 deaths confirmed, relief slow to arrive
The Jamaican government has confirmed 19 deaths so far, while neighboring Haiti has reported 30 fatalities from the same storm.
Looting has broken out in several areas, with desperate citizens raiding shops and pharmacies for food and medicines. Many store owners, unable to rely on police assistance, are guarding their damaged shops themselves.
Although relief supplies have reached Kingston Airport, efforts to distribute aid have been delayed as roads, bridges, and small airstrips remain heavily damaged. Army convoys and rescue teams are inching their way through blocked routes to reach the worst-hit regions.
Officials estimate that 90% of homes in Black River have been either destroyed or severely damaged. Hospitals, police stations, and fire departments are also in ruins, crippling emergency response efforts.
Mayor: ‘City is completely devastated’
The Mayor of Black River described the situation as “complete devastation,” warning that rising desperation is fueling violence and unrest.
Medical teams report flooded rescue stations and a growing number of injured — including children and elderly citizens — waiting for help.
Amid the despair, army helicopters finally reached Black River on Friday afternoon, delivering limited food and medical supplies. As helicopters hovered above, residents gathered in open areas, waving for help — a rare moment of hope after days of hunger, chaos, and silence.
