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This mayor of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

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

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

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding 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 scary moment for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and power, and most buildings have had their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

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

“This will be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.