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The mayor of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation caused by the disaster.

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

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed to have died, but the mayor noted receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. 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 I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official previously described the town as under water, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after Melissa’s annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares 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 won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.