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The mayor of the town of Black River – a community described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense storm surges and extensive destruction caused by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Richard Solomon described enduring the Category 5 storm at an emergency response center.

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

Several people from Black River are reported dead, but the mayor noted receiving word of other deaths that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We got up to 4.8 metres of flooding at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary moment for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, situated in the hard-hit southwest region of the area, is lacking water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofs. An authority earlier described the town as under water, with over half a million inhabitants without power. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where streets have been reduced to muddy tracks. Residents are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “immensely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the area showing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a enormous undertaking to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and improved,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.