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The mayor of Black River – an area referred to as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense flooding and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is devastated,” he stated. “And that devastation is so catastrophic that the national leader classified this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are reported dead, but the mayor noted receiving word of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation challenges.

“The hurricane arrived around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were battered with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We got up to 16ft of flooding at the emergency operating centre. It was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water climbing, it was a scary moment for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the hard-hit south-western parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofs. One official previously characterized the town as flooded, with over 500,000 inhabitants without power. A landslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

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

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

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are experiencing, 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 believes that it will take billions of local currency to rebuild the community after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he says, the main goal is clearing blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“Efforts are underway to clear the main roads 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 won’t be able to provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he adds.

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

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild this historic town. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging more resilient and improved,” he told reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So maintain the optimism, remain hopeful, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.