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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation wrought by the disaster.

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

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding 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 frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit southwest parish of the area, is lacking water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.