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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are reported to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

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

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is without running water and power, and most buildings have had their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.