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The mayor of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the immense flooding and widespread devastation wrought by the disaster.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Richard Solomon described enduring the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of Black River is devastated,” he stated. “The destruction is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are reported dead, but Solomon noted hearing reports of other fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and travel difficulties.

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

“We got up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. 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 moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, located in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is lacking running water and power, and the majority of structures have lost their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with over half a million inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has obstructed the primary routes of a nearby area, where roadways have been turned to muddy tracks. Locals are now sweeping water from their houses and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and evaluations have proven almost impossible because all the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now focused on trying to assist the most vulnerable, while also dealing with the individual toll of the devastation.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I do understand the pain that people are experiencing, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing assistance for the most at-risk at this point,” 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 states, the priority is clearing blocked routes, which have cut off the town.

“Efforts are underway to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. The majority of our stores, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to offer goods to persons who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the devastation personally, with an flyover of the region showing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“This will be a massive task to restore this historic town. But although it is damaged, we can envision a future of it rising stronger and improved,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So maintain the optimism, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will reconstruct stronger,” he affirmed.