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This local leader of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

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

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

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We got up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and power, and most structures have lost their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over half a million residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in need at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can envision a future of it rising more resilient and improved,” he told local media.

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