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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

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

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted 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 bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without water and power, and most structures have lost their roofing. One official earlier described the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he states, 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 get aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed local media.

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