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The local leader of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofs. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over half a million residents without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now concentrating on working to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he says, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. The majority 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 adds.

National leadership has seen 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 enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed reporters.

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