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This local leader of the town of Black River – a community referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the monstrous storm surges and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described 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 national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed dead, but Solomon mentioned hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around 8 a.m. and continued for around nine hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the upper level, and I tell you, when we saw the water climbing, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon stated that Black River, located in the hard-hit south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is without running water and electricity, and most buildings have lost their roofing. An authority previously characterized the town as under water, with over 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. 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 houses and attempting to salvage their possessions.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have become almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as firefighting, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says the mayor.

He is now focused on working to assist the neediest residents, while also coping with the individual toll of the disaster.

“The mayor's car was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting aid relief for the most at-risk at this time,” he explains.

The mayor estimates that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can get aid 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 need at this moment,” he says.

The prime minister has seen the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to restore this historic town. But while it is damaged, we can envision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and better,” he informed local media.

“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.