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The local leader of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense storm surges and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

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

Several people from the town are reported to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of other fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, located in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is lacking water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the region revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he told reporters.

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