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This mayor of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is without running water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofs. One official previously described the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now focused on working to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

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

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild the community after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the region revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous task to restore Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision 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 get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.