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This local leader of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

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

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed to have died, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment 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 scary experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

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

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he says, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising more resilient and better,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.