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The local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed to have died, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the severely affected southwest parish of the area, is lacking water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofs. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now focused on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation 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 undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he informed reporters.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.