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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon described enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience 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 most buildings have lost their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, 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. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous task to restore Black River. But while it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.