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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

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

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We got up to 16ft of water at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofing. One official previously described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

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

“This will be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.