Richard Branson has filmed the devastation to his Necker Island home after being hit by Hurricane Irma.
The 67-year-old billionaire has shared a video showing completely destroyed buildings, ripped-up trees and broken furniture strewn across the island, following the hurricane, which was the most powerful to ever hit the Atlantic.
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Credit: Instagram/Richard Branson
Branson took shelter in the wine cellar at his luxury home while the hurricane made its way across the island.
And the Virgin Group founder has since travelled to Puerto Rico, where he's helping out with the efforts to deliver aid to those who need it and come up with a plan to rebuild the British Virgin Islands.
On his blog, Branson wrote: "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 the island during the storm are safe and well.
"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.
"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."
Branson has also called on the UK government to help out, saying it has a 'massive role to play'.
Necker Island before being hit by the hurricane. Credit: PA
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He wrote: "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.
"Over the coming weeks, we'll have to assess exactly what is needed. It is clear to me creating jobs is paramount - there will be a huge amount of rebuilding to be done and people will need work to help rebuild their lives as well as their homes."
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Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Richard BransonTopics: Hurricane Irma, Richard Branson
