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The local leader of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

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

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We got up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is without water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to rescue their possessions.

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

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

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus 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 restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” 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.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told reporters.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.