A palm tree on the island of St Barts has survived Irma. A webcam in the port of Gustavia showed the palm tree doubling in the wind but ultimately withstanding the hurricane-force winds.

The footage had gained followers on the internet, who named the tree "Hector", Franceinfo reports, external.

Comments left on YouTube webcam feed ranged from "Long live Hector!" to "You Hector are a true hero".

The National Hurricane Center says some areas are at risk of further damage caused by a surge in water levels.

Forecasts suggest the Turks and Caicos Islands could face a 6m (20ft) increase in water levels following Hurricane Irma.

The Dutch navy says Hurricane Irma caused "enormous damage" to the Dutch side of St Martin.

The country is divided between the French part, Saint-Martin, and the Dutch part, known as Sint-Maarten.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has said there has been "huge damage" to the island's airport - which he says is "unreachable".

And Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk said nine patients at a hospital had been evacuated by military helicopter.

The country's Ministry of Defence shared aerial footage showing the extent of the damage.

Local governments in the path of the storm are issuing their own instructions, which should be followed.

Once the storm is a serious threat, the US NHC advises residents to, external:

• Be prepared to evacuate if you live in a storm surge risk area

• Secure homes by covering all windows with strong plywood, if you do not have storm shutters installed
• Check the websites, news and radio frequently to make sure you have the latest advice
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level, with as many walls between you and the storm as possible
• Keep away from windows, skylights, and glass doors
• Be aware that if the eye of the storm passes over, there could be a short period of calm - but wind speed will rapidly increase on the other side

Ideally, those in the storm's path should have an emergency kit prepared, external in advance, with food, water, batteries, artificial light and other supplies.

Luis Fonsi asks God "to protect Puerto Rico and our Dominican and Cuban brothers and all those in the path of this monster".

The singer, whose single Despacito has become a massive hit, is from Puerto Rico.

In its latest update, the US National Hurricane Center says that Irma is passing to the north of the eastern Dominican Republic.

The hurricane currrently has maximum sustained winds of 290km/h (180mph).

Follow their updates on Irma, as well as on hurricanes Jose and Katia here: National Hurricane Center, external.

The French Minister of the Interior says there have been scenes of looting in Saint-Martin in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

Speaking to FranceInfo, Gérard Collomb said that the police are "trying to retain order" on the island.

The Dutch navy has posted a video taken from a helicopter above St Martin which shows widespread damage on the island.They also said that the island's airport is unreachable, and they are prioritising deliveries of help and supplies.St Martin is divided between the Netherlands and France.

The son of Sir Richard Branson has posted a message on Instagram detailing the damage caused by Hurricane Irma to the British Virgin Islands.Sam Branson said that Peter Island "is a wreck" and there was "lots of damage" on Necker Island - where Richard Branson lives. The British entrepreneur refused to evacuate his private retreat on the island.

Photos give a glimpse of the strength of the winds on the islands.

Take a look at our photo gallery: In pictures: Irma ravages Caribbean.

Image source, Reuters

A correspondent for the French radio station Europe 1 has tweeted a video showing the force of the winds in Saint-Martin as Hurricane Irma hit.

A CNN producer says the force of the winds was such that all mobile phone towers were felled on Barbuda.

Residents in Barbuda say 'it was like a horror movie' when Hurricane Irma struck.

One person said people were tying themselves to their roofs with ropes.

The Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, Gaston Browne, told the BBC that there was "total carnage" in Barbuda, where half of the population have been left homeless.

He said it was a disaster of unprecedented proportions and that it would take $100m to rebuild the islands. He said he would have to approach the international community for some level of assistance.

He told Reuters that if Hurricane Jose comes towards Barbuda all of the island may have to be evacuated.

Two other storms have strengthened to become hurricanes.

Hurricane Katia, in the south-western gulf of Mexico, and Hurricane Jose over the central Atlantic.

The French interior minister says eight people have been killed and 21 wounded on the Caribbean islands of Saint Martin and St Barts. Six were killed in Saint Martin, which is divided between France and the Netherlands and two on St Barts.

Welcome to our live coverage as Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade, is battering the Caribbean. Here's the latest:

• The category five hurricane, the highest possible level, has left at least nine people dead and has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean.
• The small island of Barbuda is said to be "barely habitable" and officials warn that St Martin is almost destroyed.

• In Puerto Rico, more than half of the island's three million residents were without power.

• It is expected to pass near or just north of the coast of the Dominican Republic on Thursday.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Powerful Hurricane Irma continues its way through the Caribbean with two deaths confirmed on the French islands of St Barts and St Martin. As we pause our coverage, here's the latest:

• More than 90% of buildings on Barbuda have been damaged, Antigua and Barbuda's prime minister said, but the exact extent of the impact is still unclear as communications have been cut
• Significant damage is also being reported in the Dutch section of St Martin, known as Sint-Maarten
• Some damage has been confirmed in the French territory of Guadeloupe
• The category five hurricane, the highest possible level, is now passing over the northern Virgin Islands
• Irma is expected to pass near or just north of Puerto Rico, then near or just north of the coast of the Dominican Republic on Thursday
• Read the latest developments here
• Here's a visual guide of Irma
• Everything you need to know