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This mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread devastation caused by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor recalled riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional deaths that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted 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 response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase 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 severely affected south-western region of the area, is lacking water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage 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, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on working to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the damage personally, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and improved,” he informed local media.

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