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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, the mayor described enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are reported to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 residents without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on working to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear 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 provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage personally, with an flyover of the region showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive task to restore this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

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