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

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed to have died, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is without running water and power, and most structures have lost their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

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

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the region revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive undertaking to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a future 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 reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.