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The mayor of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

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

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That 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 climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is lacking running water and power, and most buildings have had their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million residents without power. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was totally submerged 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 concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

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

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

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

“This will be a massive task to rebuild this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed local media.

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