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The mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are reported dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the hard-hit southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 residents without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. The roofing was lost, 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 time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the priority is removing debris from 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 impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this time,” he says.

National leadership has seen the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous task to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

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