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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and widespread devastation caused by the disaster.

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

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he said. “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 to have died, but the mayor noted receiving word of additional deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofing. One official earlier described the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild the community after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods 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 showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.