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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and extensive devastation wrought by the disaster.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel challenges.

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

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the severely affected south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and most structures have lost their roofing. An authority previously described the town as flooded, with over half a million residents without power. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

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

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. The roofing was lost, so I do understand the suffering that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this time,” he says.

The mayor believes that it will take millions of Jamaican dollars to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get aid in. Most of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in need at this moment,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the devastation first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he told reporters.

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