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

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. 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 rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the hard-hit southwest parish of the area, is lacking water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofing. An authority previously described the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he informed reporters.

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