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The mayor of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon described enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

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

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.