Richard Branson© Photo: Getty Images

Sir Richard Branson reveals extent of damage caused by Hurricane Irma: see video

The entrepreneur's home has been "utterly devastated" by the hurricane

Lifestyle Features Editor
September 11, 2017

Sir Richard Branson has shared a video from his Necker Island home to highlight the damage that has been caused to the British Virgin Islands by Hurricane Irma. The Virgin boss, who hid in the concrete wine cellar of the property when the hurricane struck on Wednesday, has previously said that the home has been "completely and utterly devastated" by the storm.

STORY: Richard Branson speaks out after home is 'utterly devastated' by Hurricane Irma

In a short video clip posted on Instagram on Sunday, trees and bits of debris can be seen strewn across the beach, with winds still high in the aftermath of the hurricane. Sir Richard revealed that Virgin Unite, the entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group, is now co-ordinating aid in order to help the communities across the British Virgin Islands who have been affected and lost their homes when Irma struck.

Sir Richard Branson shared a video showing the aftermath of Hurricane Irma

"Much of the buildings and vegetation on Necker has been destroyed or badly damaged. But British Virgin Islands Hurricane #Irma story is not about Necker - it is about the tens of thousands of people who have lost their homes and their livelihoods," Richard captioned the post. "@virginunite is coordinating aid to local BVI families & communities - please donate to help."

RELATED: Richard Branson's Necker Island home 'destroyed' by Hurricane Irma

Richard remained at his Necker Island home despite being in the path of Hurricane Irma last week, and has since said that both he and his team were all safe. Speaking via satellite phone for a blog post on the Virgin website, Sir Richard said: "It is a traumatic time here in the British Virgin Islands. I have never seen anything like this hurricane. All of the team who stayed on Necker and Moskito during the hurricane are safe and well.

Richard and his team hid on the island when the hurricane struck

"We took shelter from the strongest hurricane ever inside the concrete cellar on Necker and very, very fortunately it held firm. Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the disaster elsewhere in the BVI, Caribbean and beyond."

The 67-year-old added: "I know we are fortunate here on Necker and Moskito. Our wonderful team are fine. I know we will all band together and rebuild the islands to become stronger and even more wonderful than they were before."

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