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This local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are reported to have died, but the mayor noted hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. That 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 I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected south-western region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofs. One official previously described the town as flooded, with over half a million residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the area revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous task to restore Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he informed reporters.

“We will get it done. So keep the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.