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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense flooding and widespread devastation wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit southwest parish of the area, is lacking water and power, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. One official earlier described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of roofs 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 more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.