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

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” 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 the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

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

“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. 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 I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is without running water and electricity, and most buildings have lost their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is removing debris from 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 deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this time,” he says.

National leadership has seen the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.