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

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the mayor recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying 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 moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is lacking running water and power, and most structures have had their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. The roofing went, so I do understand the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he says, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising 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 rebuild better,” he said.