Sir Richard Branson reveals devastation caused to Necker Island home by Hurricane Irma

Sean Morrison @seanmorrison_11 September 2017

Billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has revealed the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Irma to his luxurious Necker Island home.

The British tycoon has posted footage online showing the trail of destruction left on his island getaway, which is frequented by world leaders and celebrities.

Mr Branson wrote in a blog post: 'As you can see from the photos, much of the buildings and vegetation on Necker has been destroyed or badly damaged.

"We felt the full force of the strongest hurricane ever in the Atlantic Ocean.

"But we are very fortunate to have a strong cellar built into Necker's Great House and were very lucky all of our teams who stayed on Island during the storm are safe and well."

He added: "I am writing from Puerto Rico, where I have travelled in order to further mobilise aid efforts and rebuilding plans for the British Virgin Islands and wider Caribbean.

Richard Branson posted this picture from Puerto Rico after revealing the devastation to Necker Island
@richardbranson

"Communications remain mostly down in the BVI after Hurricane Irma.

"After sharing these updates and talking to various governments, aid agencies and media, we will be heading straight back to the BVI to continue helping the recovery effort on the ground."

The scene after Hurricane Irma swept across Branson's Necker Island
Instagram

"The UK government will have a massive role to play in the recovery of its territories affected by Irma - both through short-term aid and long-term infrastructure spending.

"The region needs a "Disaster Recovery Marshall Plan" for the BVI and other territories that will aid in recovery, sustainable reconstruction and long-term revitalisation of the local economy.

"Our thoughts are with all the people and regions hit by Hurricane Irma, and all those in the US communities currently facing the storm.

Hurricane Irma - In pictures

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He also called on people to donate to victims of the hurricane via his charity Virgin Unite.

The hurricane has now been downgraded to a category two storm.

But forecasters have warned the threat to life still remains, as Florida continues to be battered by 100mph winds and torrential rain.

More than 170,000 people are waiting out the storm in shelters across the state. Irma has so far claimed five lives, with three people dying in car crashes.

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