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This mayor of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous flooding and widespread destruction wrought by the catastrophe.

Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, the mayor recalled riding out the intense storm at an emergency operating centre.

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

Several people from the town are reported dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other fatalities that are still being verified due to connectivity and travel challenges.

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

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the response center. It 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 I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that the town, located in the hard-hit south-western region of St Elizabeth, is lacking water and electricity, and the majority of buildings have lost their roofing. An authority earlier described the town as flooded, with over half a million residents without power. A mudslide has obstructed the main roads of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to muddy tracks. Residents are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because all the town’s vehicles and essential facilities such as firefighting, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” says the mayor.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally submerged by water. My roof went, so I fully grasp the pain that people are feeling, but what is a key focus for me now is to concentrate on getting assistance for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

The mayor believes that it will take billions of Jamaican dollars to restore Black River after the hurricane's annihilation. At present, he states, the priority is clearing impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes 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 provide supplies to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the region showing 80 to 90% of buildings in the area had been destroyed.

“This will be a massive task to restore Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it rising more resilient and better,” 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 rebuild better,” he said.