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This mayor of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

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

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofing. One official earlier described the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he says, 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 relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

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

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