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The local leader of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense storm surges and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon described riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are reported to have died, but the mayor noted receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying 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 explained that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and the majority of buildings have had their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

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

Solomon believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this time,” he says.

National leadership has seen the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous task to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” 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.