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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and extensive devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, the mayor described enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and travel challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

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

The mayor stated that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. One official previously characterized the town as under water, with more than 500,000 residents without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

“My vehicle was completely covered 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 assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.