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The local leader of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor noted receiving word of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is lacking running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.