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The local leader of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

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

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We got 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 increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and power, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to restore Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it rising stronger and better,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.