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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.

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

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

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

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

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest region of the area, is without running water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofs. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as fire, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he states, 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 deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in need at this moment,” he adds.

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

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed local media.

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