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The local leader of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“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.”

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

“The hurricane came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary moment for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is lacking running water and power, and the majority of buildings have had their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in need at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it rising more resilient and improved,” he informed reporters.

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