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This mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

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

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. 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 climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western parish of the area, is lacking running water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on working to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

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

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

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

National leadership has seen the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed local media.

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