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This local leader of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing went, so I do understand the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the main goal 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 deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

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

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

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