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This local leader of Black River – an area referred to as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the mayor described enduring the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as the worst-hit zone.”

Several people from the town are reported dead, but Solomon mentioned receiving word of additional fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

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

“We got up to 4.8 metres of water at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not rise any more, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is without water and power, and most structures have had their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as under water, with more than half a million inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the main roads of a nearby area, where roadways have been reduced to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, hospitals and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” says Solomon.

He is now focused on trying to help the neediest residents, while also coping with the personal impact of the devastation.

“The mayor's car was totally covered by water. My roof went, so I do understand the suffering that persons are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

Solomon believes that it will take millions of local currency to rebuild Black River after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he states, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the major thoroughfares and critical lateral roads 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 persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

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

“It is going to be a enormous undertaking to restore Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a future of it emerging more resilient and better,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.