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The local leader of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the mayor recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

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

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is lacking water and power, and the majority of structures have had their roofs. One official previously described the town as flooded, with over half a million residents lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now focused on working to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he says, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

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