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The mayor of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and widespread destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon recalled riding out the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are confirmed dead, but the mayor noted receiving word of additional deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived 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 16ft of water at the response center. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary moment for us.”

The mayor stated that the town, located in the severely affected south-western region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and power, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. An authority previously described the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and trying to rescue their possessions.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because all the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now concentrating on working to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was completely covered by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on getting aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, 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 secondary routes here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to provide supplies to individuals who are in need at this time,” he adds.

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

“This will be a enormous undertaking to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and improved,” he told local media.

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