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This mayor of the town of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. An authority previously described the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their houses and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying 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 will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he says.

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

“This will be a massive task to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.