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The local leader of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

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

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, situated in the hard-hit southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without water and power, and the majority of buildings have had their roofs. An authority previously described the town as flooded, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

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

He is now concentrating on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, 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 estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an flyover of the area revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous task to restore Black River. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.