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The local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense flooding and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

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

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

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

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is lacking running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

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

He is now focused on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

The mayor believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

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