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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the severely affected southwest region of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to restore this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.