- Richard Branson has spoken of a ‘more positive day’ as aid arrives in Caribbean
- He and his son Sam have been on the island of Virgin Gorda to provide support
- The billionaire weathered the storm in his wine cellar on private Necker Island
- He praised the spirt of the locals, who have been joking about the ‘Irmageddon’
Billionaire mogul Richard Branson has spoken of enjoying a ‘more positive day’ on the British Virgin Islands as more aid arrives after the devastating Hurricane Irma smashed into the Caribbean territory.
The Virgin boss, who owns Necker Island, welcomed the arrival of British Armed Forces but also praised his own team as they provide aid themselves.
He and his son Sam have been on Virgin Gorda today in the hope of clearing the island’s runway so planes can start coming in directly.
The Virgin boss, who owns Necker Island, welcomed the arrival of British Armed Forces but also praised his own team as they provide aid themselves
He and his son Sam have been on Virgin Gorda today in the hope of clearing the island’s runway so planes can start coming in directly. Pictured: His team carrying supplies
Mr Branson also said the governor of Puerto Rico – a US territory – had sent a plane packed with supplies to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands
He wrote on his blog: ‘Our aid boats have arrived and food, water and essential supplies have been unloaded by the team, who are very tired but in great spirits. Some marines have arrived in Virgin Gorda and we hear more are on their way.’
Branson, who weathered the lethal storm in his wine cellar, also praised the resilience of the islands’ locals.
‘We heard somebody say “It’s Irmageddon around here!”,’ he said. ‘It made us smile. Everyone is pulling together and spirits are improving. More help is needed, but it feels like the tide is turning.’
He added: ‘I spent the day going around meeting individual families on Virgin Gorda. The resilience of the Caribbean people is just incredible. One family I met had their entire house blown away during the hurricane.
‘They raced to take shelter in another house, which promptly got blown away as well. They gathered their children to crouch down next to a wall for shelter, but then the wall crumbled. Finally, they found shelter in the bottom of a cistern and saw out the storm.’
Mr Branson also said the governor of Puerto Rico – a US territory – had sent a plane packed with supplies to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.