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This mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, the mayor described enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted receiving word of other fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

“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 explained.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is without water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofs. An authority previously characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear 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 offer goods to persons who are in need at this moment,” he says.

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

“It is going to be a enormous task to restore this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.