UNBRIDLED terror. The lights go out. The door is hurled off its hinges and chunks of the roof take off into the night. There is the sound of screams, broken glass and then, complete silence.

That is a glimpse into what it was like to experience 160mph winds from Hurricane Maria in Dominica, in late September, for Miriam, 21, and Ben Alexander, 19, who were evacuated to their grandparents’ house in Bradford on Avon as a result of the destruction.

Behind them lay a trail of destruction and a nightmare from which they could not wake.

Three months on from that hurricane, which could be described as King Lear’s ‘terrors of the earth’, Miriam and Ben are leading a normal life again with grandparents George and Angela Kent, of Woolley Drive, ahead of Christmas.

“To live through an experience like that, you do not forget it in a hurry. I was in a pool of my own blood and the house we lived in was falling apart in front of my eyes,” said Miriam.

“I was flown to the UK as I had a deep cut on my leg. My sister Renatta is currently in Barbados. My friend Serena came back with me and Ben came two weeks after as he had strep throat. He did so much for us all that day.”

The winds, which caused £60,000 damage to the house, howled for hours, but that didn’t stop Ben from rescuing a kitten, freeing his sister from the rubble and grabbing his TV, PS4 and Coke in the chaos.

“It was so unexpected,” said Ben. “There was debris flying everywhere. I just wanted to make sure my family were okay. When it finished there was a deathly hush and the island was unrecognisable.

“Less than 10 per cent of the people there have power. We had to live out of one room practically.”

His parents Tina and Harry Alexander however are doing everything they can on the Caribbean island to help those who are still without power and aid.

After helping thousands to evacuate the island, Tina, the consulate for the UK in Dominica, is working tirelessly to help those still affected by the hurricane and Harry is helping to repair the house.

“She was there helping people flee the island and she is still there doing wonders for the local people. She is such an inspiration,” said Miriam.

“My dad is a fisherman and his boat was completely destroyed. He found a piece of wood that he thinks was part of it but it was very hard for him.

“I wanted to try and help so me and my grandparents have been asking for supplies to send off as there are many people who are in need.”

The island had been under a 5am-10pm curfew because of widespread looting.

“This is not something you can fix in a short period of time but people like Tina are helping to turn things around,” said Mr Kent.

Although the family will be dotted across the world this Christmas, all of them are looking forward to the festive season.

“Me and my grandparents will see family in Norfolk and Ben is going up to Glasgow to see friends. I miss my family but knowing that they are safe and doing great work is a great present for all of us here,” said Miriam.