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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of additional deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

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

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the severely affected southwest region of the area, is without water and power, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as flooded, with over 500,000 residents lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

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