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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area 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 reported dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have had their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because all the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

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

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. 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 main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this moment,” he says.

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

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and better,” he told local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.