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This local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

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

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor noted receiving word of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment 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 climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver 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 need at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

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