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The local leader of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located 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 more than 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

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