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This mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described enduring the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

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

Five individuals from the town are confirmed to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because all the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing assistance 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 annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has seen the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous task to restore this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.