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The local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described enduring the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

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

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“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 more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as flooded, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, 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. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” 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 reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.