Shocking aerial pics show the full extent of the devastation to Richard Branson’s Necker Island retreat after Hurricane Irma
SHOCKING aerial images of Necker Island show the devastation Hurricane Irma wrought on Richard Branson's private island.
Ripped up trees and debris litter the formally plush playground of the Virgin owner.
The main house was all but destroyed and some of the surrounding structures are gone.
Although all the humans on the island survived the ordeal tragically some of the billionaire's animals are believed to have perished in the storm.
Fortunately his 250 flamingos are going strong, as are 60 lemurs as well as all of the parrots and toucans, reports .
Earlier Branson's daughter shared a picture as she hugged her young brother goodbye as prepared to head off to the British Virgin Islands to help those impacted by Hurricane Irma.
Holly Branson, 35, said the devastation caused by category five storm was "heart-breaking" after five people died and hundreds are now left without electricity after havoc struck on the British overseas territory on Wednesday.
Holly posted a photo of her hugging Sam Branson, 32, as he prepared to jet off to the British Virgin Islands to help the relief effort.
Writing on her blog the 35 year old said: ";It is truly heart-breaking to see such devastation in a place we call home.
"People have been left with nothing; no home, no running water, no power or possession - and we are only just beginning to understand the extent of the damage caused.
"This is an unbelievably testing time for all affected and now more than ever, we need to unite and work together to support one another.
"My brother Sam is currently travelling to the BVI with supplies and aid, ranging from nappies and clothing to water purification tablets and tarpulin for shelter."
Yesterday Richard Branson revealed the devastation on Necker Island after Hurricane Irma slammed into the "paradise" resort.
The British billionaire posted photos showing the shocking aftermath of the monster storm including trees ripped from the ground and buildings destroyed.
The 67-year-old took shelter in his concrete wine cellar as the eye of the hurricane passed over his Caribbean island destroying nearly everything in sight.
Hours before the storm hit Necker Island, the Brit billionaire had jokingly said he would hide in his wine cellar, as he was pictured playing dice with his staff members on Tuesday night.
He wrote in a blog post published on : "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."
Branson, who bought the island paradise when he was just 28-years-old, said he had “never seen anything like this hurricane.”
He told how he has travelled to Puerto Rico to "further mobilise aid efforts" but is planning to head to the British Virgin Islands to continue the recovery effort.
The tycoon wrote: "This story is about the tens of thousands of people who have lost their homes and their livelihoods. We have spent the past two days visiting team members who live on Virgin Gorda and as many people as possible, distributing aid, water and supplies. We have seen first-hand just how ferocious and unforgiving this storm was."
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The entrepreneur also confirmed that his company had made a donation to the British Red Cross and encouraged others to make a contribution via .
Previously, Branson’s son shared a shocking video showing scenes of utter devastation after deadly Hurricane Irma pummelled the British Virgin Islands.
He revealed his billionaire dad’s private island was completely destroyed by the monster storm, but assured that “all humans survived” at the luxury hideaway.
Sam Branson shared traumatic footage of the carnage on neighbouring Tortola after Hurricane Irma ripped roofs off houses and caused flooding.
At least 27 people have been killed after Hurricane Irma flattened a series of Caribbean islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico and then the Florida Keys.
Hurricane Irma has landed in Florida killing at least five in the sunshine state, leaving five million people without power and swamping coastal towns with 15ft walls of water as President Trump brands the megastorm a “big monster.”
Irma's 130mph winds battered the Florida Keys as storm surges sent seawater gushing through the streets before the "nuclear" hurricane howled up the west coast.
PRIVATE PARADISE Richard Branson’s luxury Caribbean island
Sir Richard Branson has hosted A-listers from Mariah Carey and Harry Styles to the Obamas at his private Caribbean retreat – Necker Island.
The luxury hideaway boasts pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters, but the idyll has been devastated by the most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane ever recorded.
The Virgin boss bought Necker in 1979 for around £180,000 and ever since he has used the private paradise to schmooze the rich and famous.
He has hosted everyone from Ronnie and Sally Wood to David Hasselhoff at the luxury retreat.
If you are lucky enough to be a friend of Branson’s, then it will probably cost you nothing to stay on Necker.
But mere mortals need to shell out £40,000 a night.
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