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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon described enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, 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 south-western parish of the area, is without water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

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