'Unimaginable devastation': Richard Branson's daughter bids a heartfelt goodbye to her brother as he heads to the British Virgin Islands where people 'have been left with nothing' after Irma

Holly Branson said it was 'heart-breaking' to see so many people left homeless
Five people died during category 5 storm when it hit the islands on Wednesday
Her brother, Sam, is leaving for the British Virgin Islands to help the relief effort

Published: 23:37 BST, 11 September 2017 | Updated: 00:30 BST, 12 September 2017

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Holly Branson wrote of the 'unimaginable devastation' on the British Virgin Islands as her brother, Sam, left to help the relief effort there

Richard Branson's daughter has spoken of the 'unimaginable devastation' on the British Virgin Islands as her brother left to help the relief effort there.

Holly Branson said it was 'heart-breaking' to see so many people left without their homes or possessions after Hurricane Irma ravaged the British Oversea Territory on Wednesday.

Five people died during the category five storm and hundreds more have been left without running water or electricity.

Writing on Virgin.com, Holly wrote: 'It is truly heart-breaking to see such devastation in a place we call home and to communities we love dearly.

'People have been left with nothing; no home, no running water, no power or possessions – and we are only just beginning to understand the extent of the damage caused.'

The blog post included a photo of Holly embracing her brother, Sam, who has documented the destruction left by the storm on Instagram.

On a video posted three days after the storm struck, Sam said simply: 'If you have boats, then please get them to the BVI.'

Holly wrote: 'My brother Sam is currently travelling to the BVI with supplies and aid, ranging from nappies and clothing to water purification tablets and tarpaulin for shelter.

Holly(left) wrote: 'My brother Sam(right) is currently travelling to the BVI with supplies and aid, ranging from nappies and clothing to water purification tablets and tarpaulin for shelter

Sam, documented the destruction left by the storm on Instagram. Pictured is a still from a video taken on Nicker Island

'It’s been very hard to gain an understanding of the situation on the ground with power on the islands still down, but he will be keeping you all updated as much as possible via his Instagram account.

'Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the disaster across the BVI, Caribbean and beyond and we will continue to do everything we can to help.'

Sir Richard spent the storm in his wine cellar while his island was devastated.

He bought 74-acre Necker Island when he was 28 for around £90,000 and has spent an estimated £7.6million transforming the uninhabited land into a luxury resort and home for his family.

The father-of-two likened the destruction to that felt by Europe at the end of the Second World War, calling for a ‘Disaster Recovery Marshall Plan’ to help British Virgin Islands residents.

The Virgin boss, who is worth around £3.8billion, has now gone to Puerto Rico to try to ‘mobilise aid efforts’ because communications are still down on the islands which have been belted by the ‘ferocious and unforgiving’ storm.

At least 28 people were killed when the storm battered the Caribbean. Five of them died on the British Virgin Islands.

Holly wrote: 'People have been left with nothing; no home, no running water, no power or possessions – and we are only just beginning to understand the extent of the damage caused.' She is pictured at Westminster Abbey(left) and Kensington Roof Gardens(right)