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The mayor of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the immense flooding and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. 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 bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking running water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. An authority previously described the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now concentrating on working to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

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

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger 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.