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This local leader of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to communication and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, located in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. An authority earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than half a million residents lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their possessions.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

He is now concentrating on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I do understand the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he says.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he says, the priority is removing debris from blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid 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 dire straits at this time,” he adds.

National leadership has witnessed the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can envision a future of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed local media.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.