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The mayor of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon described riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

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

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

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is without running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. One official earlier described the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

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

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.