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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 devastation wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the mayor described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are confirmed to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa 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 experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary moment for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is without running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents without power. 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 houses and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway 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 won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the region revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.