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The mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is lacking water and electricity, and the majority of structures have lost their roofs. An authority previously described the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now focused on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild the community after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway 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 impacted negatively so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous task to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.