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This local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor described riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That 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, located in the hard-hit south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing 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 transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.