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

Speaking on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

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

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the hard-hit southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and most buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as flooded, with over 500,000 residents without power. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

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

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.