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

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are confirmed to have died, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. It 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 moment for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and electricity, and most buildings have lost their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid 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 dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

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

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.