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This local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, the mayor described enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying 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 experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the severely affected south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is without water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofing. An authority previously described the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 residents without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. 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 critical services such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

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

“This will be a massive undertaking to restore this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he informed local media.

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