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This local leader of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor described enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are confirmed to have died, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” 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 more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary 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 the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents without power. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he says, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

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

National leadership has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the area revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive undertaking to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.