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This mayor of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and extensive destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the Category 5 storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane came around 8 a.m. and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. It 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 terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with more than half a million residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become extremely difficult because all the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the individual toll of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that persons are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing 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. At present, he states, the priority is removing debris from 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 deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.