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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 extensive devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor recalled riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency response center.

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

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment 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 climbing, it was a scary moment for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is without water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid 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 dire straits at this moment,” 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 tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

“We will get it done. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.