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The mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

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

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is without water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofs. An authority previously described the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now concentrating on working to help the most vulnerable, while also coping with the individual toll of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to restore this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.