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The local leader of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are reported to have died, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

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

“We got up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is without water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he states, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the region revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

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

“We will get it done. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.