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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread devastation wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, the mayor described riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from Black River are reported to have died, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

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

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, situated in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofs. One official earlier described the town as flooded, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting 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 firefighting, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now focused 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 was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he says, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an aerial tour of the area revealing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and improved,” he informed local media.

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