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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

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

“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 the town are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

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

“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 increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking water and electricity, and most buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier described the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on working to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he states, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has seen the devastation personally, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous task to restore Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.