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The mayor of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the disaster.

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

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is without running water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofs. One official previously described the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation first-hand, 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 Black River. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

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