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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 wrought by the catastrophe.

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

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he said. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are confirmed to have died, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“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 increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, located in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have become extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he says, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this time,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.