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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor recalled riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are confirmed to have died, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is without running water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofing. An authority previously described the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, 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 get relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.