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The local leader of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication 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 explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, situated in the hard-hit south-western parish of the area, is without running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

The mayor believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

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

“It is going to be a enormous task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and better,” he informed local media.

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