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This local leader of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor mentioned receiving word of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

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

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

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is lacking water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads 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 damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now focused on working to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are experiencing, 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 believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

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

“This will be a enormous task to restore Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.