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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally 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 concentrate on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from 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 deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies 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 revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.