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The mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous flooding and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

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

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is without water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

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

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he states, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

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

The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed reporters.

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