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

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

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying 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 experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. The roofing went, so I do understand the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the region showing 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 envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed 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 affirmed.