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This local leader of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon described riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered 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 praying that it would not rise any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, situated in the hard-hit south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official previously described the town as under water, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

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

The mayor believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he says, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the region revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

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