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The mayor of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

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

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

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying 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 moment for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest region of the area, is lacking water and electricity, and the majority of structures have lost their roofs. An authority earlier characterized the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now concentrating on trying to help the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.