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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread devastation wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation challenges.

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

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, located in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without water and power, and most structures have lost their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and better,” he informed reporters.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.