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The local leader of the town of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

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

“Our community 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 Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” 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 praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is without running water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the pain that persons 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 estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in need at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a future of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.