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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 extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

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

Five individuals from the town are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and travel challenges.

“The hurricane came around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise 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 stated that the town, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is without water and power, and most buildings have lost their roofs. One official previously described the town as under water, with more than 500,000 residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he says, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

National leadership has seen the damage personally, with an flyover of the area revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.