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The local leader of Black River – a community referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous storm surges and extensive devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described enduring the intense hurricane at an emergency response center.

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

Five individuals from the town are reported to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with strong gusts and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the response center. It was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping 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 moment for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western region of the area, is without water and power, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official previously described the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has obstructed the primary routes of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and critical services such as firefighting, law enforcement, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

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

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

Solomon believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. For now, he states, the priority is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads here so that we can get relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were impacted negatively so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an flyover of the area showing 80 to 90% of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to restore Black River. But while it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he informed reporters.

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