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This mayor of the town of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and extensive destruction wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

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

“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. 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 climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without running water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated 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 severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

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