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

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted receiving word of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We got 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 rise 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.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest region of the area, is lacking water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofs. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over half a million residents lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he states, the priority 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 get relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous task to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

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