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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but Solomon noted receiving word of other fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and power, and most structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.