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This mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. 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 rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western parish of the area, is without running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofs. An authority previously described the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

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

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he says, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get 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 individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a future of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.