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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

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

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed to have died, but the mayor noted receiving word of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise 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 explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the disaster.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid 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.

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

“This will be a massive task to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

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