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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

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

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. 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 climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, situated in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofing. An authority previously described the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now focused on working to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing assistance 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 cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing the vast majority of buildings 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 vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

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