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The local leader of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.

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

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

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

“Storm Melissa arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding 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 frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now focused on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand 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 time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told local media.

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