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This local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

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

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

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

“The hurricane came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking running water and power, and the majority of buildings have had their roofs. One official earlier described the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely 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 securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most 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 adds.

The prime minister has seen the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.