The true scale of the catastrophe caused by Hurricane Melissa began to reveal itself on Wednesday as stunned rescue teams and weary government officials made their way to Black River, the St Elizabeth capital, that Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness grimly called ground zero.

The usually tranquil town on Jamaica’s south-eastern coast now stands at the heart of devastation, bearing the full, merciless brunt of the Category 5 hurricane’s onslaught.

“The electricity grid of Black River is totally wiped out. The entire infrastructure and everything needed for the convenience of modern living is destroyed here in Black River,” Holness said after an aerial tour of the area where Melissa unleashed her fury on Tuesday.

“The people are still coming to grips with the destruction, but from what I have seen here, and the interaction, the people are strong, resilient and positive in outlook,” the prime minister said, adding that the Government is committed to the “massive task” of rebuilding the town.

On Wednesday, as well, the country was told that the death toll from Melissa stood at four.

At the same time, the operators of Norman Manley International Airport advised that it reopened at 4:00 pm Wednesday for flights carrying relief, while commercial operations will resume at 7:00 am Thursday.

See related Hurricane Melissa stories:

Melissa’s muddy mark

So close, but so far

‘We need help’

Body blow for Black River

Misery amplified

UK providing urgent hurricane relief to Caribbean

Caribbean reels from ‘unprecedented’ hurricane destruction