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This mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.

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

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. It was a frightening moment 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 climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get 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 will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

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

“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.