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The mayor of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered 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 rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and most structures have had their roofing. One official earlier described the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses 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 critical services such as firefighting, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild the community after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority 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 adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to restore Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed 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.