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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon described riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered 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 hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and most structures have lost their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents without power. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations 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 supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.