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This mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of additional deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River 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 get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has seen the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.