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This mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive destruction wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are reported to have died, but the mayor noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

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

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary moment for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without water and power, and most structures have had their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage personally, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a massive task to restore Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.