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This local leader of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread devastation wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon described enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor noted receiving word of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking water and power, and the majority of structures have had their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to help the most vulnerable, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I do understand the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. For now, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he told local media.

“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.