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

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It 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 I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely 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 concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies 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 revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed local media.

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