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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread devastation wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of additional deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any further, 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 Black River, situated in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.