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The mayor of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor described enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of other fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We got 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 increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without water and power, and the majority of buildings have had their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on working to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

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

National leadership has seen the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the region revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“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.