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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” 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 reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

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

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told local media.

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