The Black River Courthouse After Hurricane Melissa
Some stories are best told by simply bearing witness.
These photographs and video were captured by my brother, Gary, and his friend, Sheldon, as they drove through Black River after the roads became passable following Hurricane Melissa.
👉 Shop the We Shall Rise Again Jamaica Collection →
Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Westmoreland, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Three weeks later, on November 19, 2025, Gary and Sheldon shared what they encountered in Black River. Their journey revealed scenes of devastation that words alone could never fully capture.
The photographs tell part of the story. The video below lets you experience the drive through Black River through the eyes of Gary and Sheldon as they witnessed the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Standing at the heart of the town is the historic Black River Courthouse. For generations, it has been one of Saint Elizabeth's most recognizable landmarks, serving as a symbol of the parish's history and civic life. Black River itself has long held a special place in Jamaica's story. Once one of the island's busiest seaports, it became known as a town of innovation, becoming the first town in Jamaica to receive electricity in 1893 through the pioneering work of the Leyden brothers.
But on this day, history gave way to heartbreak.
The courthouse's upper floor had been reduced to ruins. Walls that had stood for decades were broken and exposed, the roof had disappeared, and debris covered the grounds below. As Gary and Sheldon slowly drove past, the camera captured more than a damaged building—it documented a moment in Black River's history that no one ever wanted to witness.
Yet the story of Black River does not end with destruction. The people of Saint Elizabeth have always been known for their resilience. Long after the floodwaters recede and the headlines fade, rebuilding begins—not just with bricks and lumber, but with neighbors helping neighbors, communities coming together, and the resolve to rise again.
Photography and video: Gary Williams and Sheldon
Story: Joel Williams, Culture by People Magazine
The We Shall Rise Again Jamaica collection was created as a tribute to the resilience of the Jamaican people. It is not a celebration of the storm, but a reminder that even in the face of loss and destruction, communities come together to rebuild with hope, strength, and determination.
