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This mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor described enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is without running water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier described the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.