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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

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

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding 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 frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofs. An authority earlier characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now concentrating on trying to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has seen the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.