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The local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

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

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted receiving word of other fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“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 added.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is without water and power, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get 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 provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

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

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.