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This local leader of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

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

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is lacking water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier characterized 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 reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the region revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.