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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous flooding and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon described enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

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

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came 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 bit scary for us, and we were praying 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 terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western parish of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and most buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously 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 muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now focused on trying to help the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get 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 won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage 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 enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he told reporters.

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