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This mayor of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.

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

“The entire town of Black River 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 confirmed to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around 8 a.m. 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 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping 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 moment for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their houses and trying to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. The roofing went, so I do understand the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from 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 will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.