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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over half a million residents without power. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. The roofing 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 says.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed reporters.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.