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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase 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 the town, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the suffering 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 billions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most 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 first-hand, with an flyover of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive undertaking to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he told reporters.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.