🔗 Share this article

This mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit southwest parish of the area, is without running water and power, and most structures have lost their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the region revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive undertaking to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

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