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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive devastation wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

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

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel difficulties.

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

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, 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 electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals 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 essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now focused on working to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

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

The mayor believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the area showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.