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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense storm surges and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor recalled 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 the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, located in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a key focus 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 restore Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from 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 aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed reporters.

“We will get it done. So maintain the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.