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This local leader of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and widespread devastation caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the mayor recalled riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without water and power, and the majority of structures have had their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now concentrating on working to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that persons 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 explains.

The mayor believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and better,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.