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This local leader of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and power, and most structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, 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 suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

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

“This will be a enormous undertaking to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he told reporters.

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