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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying 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 experience for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official earlier described the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that persons 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.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, 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 damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it emerging 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.