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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water 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 climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is without water and power, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official earlier described the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the region revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

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

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