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The local leader of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the disaster.

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

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon noted receiving word of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

“The hurricane came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is without water and power, and most structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

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

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.