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The mayor of the town of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the mayor recalled riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a frightening moment 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 climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and power, and the majority of buildings have had their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as flooded, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” 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 priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

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

“We will get it done. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.