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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense storm surges and extensive destruction wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor noted hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

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

“We got up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying 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 experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a massive task to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.