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Talia Soares

Journalist / Writer

Sept 11, 2017

Talia Soares

Journalist / Writer

Billionaire Sir Richard Branson Affected By Hurricane Irma5 min read

Billionaire Sir Richard Branson has been affected by Hurricane Irma as his  74-acre island has been destroyed.

Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, decided to ride out the storm on his island off the coast of the British Virgin Islands.

Branson tweeted, ”Glad to say that all humans on Necker are OK although a lot of buildings destroyed. Please don’t take this hurricane lightly if it is heading your way. If your building is not very solid, do find somewhere safe! Homes can be rebuilt but lives can’t.”

The British billionaire, speaking via satellite phone, described the ordeal as frightening. He shared that they took shelter as he describes from the strongest hurricane ever inside the concrete cellar on Necker and very, very fortunately it held firm. He also stated that they are still assessing the damage, but whole houses and trees have disappeared. He even described the aftermath on his instagram by writing,  “Outside of the bunker, bathroom and bedroom doors and windows have flown 40 feet away.”

The death toll from Hurricane Irma is estimated at nine. Four persons died in the French territory of St Martin, three in Puerto Rico, and one in the British overseas territory of Anguilla, as well as a toddler who was killed on the island of Barbuda, which was all but destroyed by the fury of Irma’s 185mph winds and deadly storm surge.

Irma is on course to hit the United States. Florida’s governor, Rick Scott, warned that the arrival of Irma’s life-threatening wind field and storm surge was imminent, and urged residents in coastal areas to leave immediately.

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