Hurricane Maria: British Virgin Islands battered by Irma escape fresh devastation as storm hurtles towards more UK territories

Fiona Simpson22 September 2017

The British Virgin Islands, including Sir Richard Branson's private Necker Island, narrowly escaped fresh devastation from Hurricane Maria as the storm raged towards more UK territories in the Caribbean.

The deadly storm, which has claimed nine lives so far, pummelled the Caribbean spreading destruction in Dominica and Puerto Rico.

However, the British Virgin Islands, which were ravaged by Hurricane Irma just weeks ago, narrowly escaped a direct hit with governor Gius Jaspery saying fresh damage was relatively low.

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, whose private island was battered by Irma, said Maria “brought lots of howling rain”.

The whole of Puerto Rico was left without power
REUTERS

Posting on Instagram, he said: "Word from the bunker is that all are safe on Necker. Lots of howling rain (2+ feet) but all ok.

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

"The night of a thousand buckets... yet to hear the latest on the rest of the BVI, thoughts are with our friends in Puerto Rico and all in Hurricane Maria's path."

A man battles to protect his restaurant against storm surges
REUTERS

In an accompanying video, the billionaire businessman said: "All of us just need to rally together to campaign on getting on top of climate change on a global basis so that events like this do not become recurring incidents."

On Thursday morning, Maria hurtled towards UK territories Turks and Caicos, sparking a hurricane warning.

Winds lash the coastal city of Fajardo in Puerto Rico as Hurricane Maria arrives
AFP/Getty Images

Emergency steps have been taken on the islands to prepare for the looming onslaught, as residents and UK troops hunker.

Royal Navy Lieutenant Stephen Dunning said one concern is that the high winds which Maria could unleash will see debris picked up and "thrown around like a washing machine".

Trees are ripped out in a car park in San Juan, Puerto Rico
AFP/Getty Images

Despite the storm tracking to the east of Turks and Caicos, he said the worry is whether any new damage could set back repairs already completed in the wake of Irma.

The 34-year-old from Marlow, Buckinghamshire, said there are approximately 70 UK military and personnel on Grand Turk who "are as prepared as possible".

Hurricane Maria destroyed homes
AFP/Getty Images

"We have concentrated on preparation for this over the last couple of days - as soon as we knew it was heading our way," he said.

"Supplies and stores have come in, so as soon as the storm has passed we can get out and assist where we can, just like we have for the last week."

A Royal Canadian Air Force Hercules aircraft, carrying 5.5 tonnes of UK Aid building material, plus additional food and water, landed on Grand Turk to replenish British troops supplies ahead of Maria's imminent arrival..

Just two weeks ago Turks and Caicos was ravaged by Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful storms in decades.

The trial of destruction left in the Puerto Rican capital of San Juan
AFP/Getty Images

Gracita Quelch, who has lived on Grand Turk all of her life, said she is feeling "scared" ahead of the latest hurricane.

The 54-year-old said: "Just when we have had one, we get one right back again - it is scary."

Hurricane Maria - In pictures

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She said her house did not suffer too much damage as a result of Hurricane Irma, but that the sound of the wind and flying debris was the most terrifying part.

"If it comes close to us or whatever, it is going to cause damage - even if we just get the water," she added.

Asked whether she has known a hurricane season like this one during her lifetime, Ms Quelch said "never".

Puerto Rico was battered with 155mph winds on Wednesday, with officials saying it had left a trail of devastation.

Abner Gómez, head of the disaster management agency in Puerto Rico, said the hurricane had damaged "everything in its path", according to the BBC.

The storm left the island’s 3.5m households without power as 110mph winds raged.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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