The parish of St Elizabeth in Jamaica is grappling with the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as described by Black River Mayor Richard Solomon. The hurricane has left the region in a state of devastation, with severe damage to infrastructure and limited communication capabilities. Solomon emphasized that the term ‘catastrophic’ barely captures the extent of the destruction witnessed on the ground. Emergency and security forces are facing significant challenges in responding to the crisis due to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is currently immobilized and relies on Starlink satellite internet for communication. Solomon revealed that the local hospital has been ‘totally devastated,’ and police units, along with the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), are non-operational after being submerged during the hurricane. Rescue operations are currently impossible, and the situation is expected to worsen as the day progresses. Solomon urged residents to remain calm and assured them that efforts are being made to address the crisis. He appealed for external assistance, stressing that the parish urgently needs all the help it can get.