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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

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

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the upper level, 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 electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. An authority previously described the town as under water, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads 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 will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to restore Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.