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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a frightening moment 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 Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western parish of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and most buildings have had their roofs. One official previously described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to help the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

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

The mayor believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in need at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the region revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous task to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and improved,” he informed reporters.

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