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The mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for Hurricane Melissa – has shared the monstrous flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled enduring the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

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

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation challenges.

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

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, located in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now focused on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to restore Black River. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow 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 rebuild better,” he affirmed.