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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced 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 second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the hard-hit southwest parish of the area, is without water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofing. One official previously described the town as under water, with over half a million residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now focused on working to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and better,” he told reporters.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.