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This local leader of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

Speaking 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 stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

“The hurricane came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. One official previously described the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this time,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the area revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.