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

Speaking on the traumatic experience, the mayor recalled enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

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

Five individuals from Black River are confirmed to have died, but Solomon noted receiving word of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to connectivity and travel challenges.

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

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were hoping that it would not increase any more, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary experience for us.”

Solomon stated that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest region of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and power, and most buildings have had their roofing. One official earlier described the town as flooded, with over half a million residents lacking electricity. A landslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and trying to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven almost impossible because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and grocery stores were “severely damaged,” notes Solomon.

The mayor 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 completely submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that persons are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to focus on getting assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore the community after the hurricane's destruction. At present, he says, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and critical lateral roads here so that we can deliver aid in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

National leadership has seen the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region revealing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he affirmed.