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The local leader of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon described riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“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.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying 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 experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is lacking water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their belongings.

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

He is now concentrating on working to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is removing debris from 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 deliver aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.