Hurricane Irma reduces Caribbean island Barbuda to rubble
Hurricane Irma
The category 5 storm has caused massive damage to property killing at least one person in Barbuda
Hurricane Irma, which has been classified as the most powerful hurricane ever to hit Atlantic, has wreaked massive damage in the Caribbean island of Barbuda.
"It is just total devastation, Barbuda now is literally rubble," Prime Minister Gaston Browne said.
The category five storm has caused heavy destruction with 95 per cent of the properties damaged and 30 per cent demolished, Browne told CNN.
The prime minister described it as "absolutely heart-wrenching".
The storm unleashed its fury on the French part of the Caribbean St Martin reportedly killing six people.
News agency AFP quoted a local official as saying that the storm has destroyed 95 per cent of the island.
"It's an enormous catastrophe. Ninety-five percent of the island is destroyed. I'm in shock. It's frightening," said Daniel Gibbs, a former French lawmaker, speaking on Radio Caribbean International yesterday, AFP reported.
The US state of Florida which falls in the path of the deadly storm has started preparing for its landfall.
Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties, Independent reported.
Last week, another powerful storm Harvey tore through the US state of Texas causing catastrophic damage and dumping heavy rains in the city of Houston.