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This mayor of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the mayor described enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River 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 confirmed to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional deaths that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and continued for around several 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 response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and power, and most structures have lost their roofs. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

Solomon 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 cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an flyover of the region revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.