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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor described enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is without water and power, and the majority of structures have had their roofs. An authority earlier described the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was totally covered 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 securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing 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. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

National leadership has seen the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the region revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to restore this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.