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The local leader of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous flooding and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, 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 stated that the town, located in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofs. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with more than 500,000 residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on working to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off 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 won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

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

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.