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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” 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 reported dead, but Solomon noted receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, situated in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with more than half a million residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. The roofing went, so I do understand the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads 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 individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous task to restore Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he informed local media.

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