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The mayor of the town of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous flooding and extensive destruction caused by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor described enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

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

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but the mayor mentioned hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation difficulties.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and a lot of rain,” he added.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, located in the hard-hit southwest region of St Elizabeth, is without running water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofing. One official earlier described the town as under water, with more than half a million residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, law enforcement, hospitals and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on working to help the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was completely submerged by water. My roof was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take billions of local currency to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

National leadership has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a enormous task to restore this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he informed local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he said.