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This local leader of the town of Black River – an area described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, the mayor recalled enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency operating centre.

“The entire town of Black River is devastated,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he added.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the severely affected south-western region of the area, is without water and electricity, and the majority of structures have had their roofing. One official previously described the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. 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 critical services such as firefighting, police, hospitals and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to assist the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars 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 get the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our stores, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a enormous task to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he told reporters.

“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.