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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 shared the immense flooding and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described riding out the Category 5 hurricane at an emergency response center.

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

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted 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 heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

The mayor stated that Black River, located in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is lacking water and power, and most buildings have had their roofs. One official previously described the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

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

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. The roofing went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this time,” he says.

Solomon estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid 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 dire straits at this time,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an flyover of the area showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.