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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 extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor described riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel difficulties.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is lacking water and power, and most structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof was lost, so I do understand the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he states, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous task to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told local media.

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