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The local leader of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around 8 a.m. and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is without water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

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

“This will be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it rising more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.