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The local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase 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 explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit southwest parish of the area, is lacking water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofs. An authority previously described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

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