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The local leader of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous flooding and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed to have died, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of additional deaths that are still being verified due to communication and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

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

Solomon stated that the town, located in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and power, and most buildings have had their roofing. An authority previously described the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked 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 rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to help the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

The mayor believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he states, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected 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 witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising more resilient and improved,” he told 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.