Aid workers have described the desperate efforts to evacuate Haiti and the Dominican Republic before Hurricane Irma strikes.
The storm has already wreaked havoc on the islands of Anguilla, Barbuda, St Martin and St Barts, where three people lost their lives.
Two people have died and two others have been seriously wounded on St Martin and St Barts, according to the French ministry for overseas territories.
At least one person had been killed in Barbuda, a spokeswoman for the National Office of Disaster Services for Antigua and Barbuda said.
The Foreign Office has urged Britons affected by the hurricane to follow evacuation orders after Irma sustained winds of 180mph for a longer period than any other Atlantic storm on record.
A British naval ship has been deployed to help deal with the aftermath of the storm with 40 Royal Marines on board, as well as army engineers and equipment.
Prit Patel statement on #HurricaneIrma – #UKaid experts deployed and British naval ship in region ready to help: https://t.co/xTv59StOYt pic.twitter.com/ygBjmNex7Y
— DFID (@DFID_UK) September 6, 2017
Hundreds of homes have been destroyed by the hurricane, and many of the islands hit are now without power, according to Lionel Hurst, who is the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda’s chief of staff.
Christian Aid is now helping to orchestrate the mass evacuation of Haiti and the Dominican Republic before Hurricane Irma strikes.
The category five storm is expected to hit the Dominican Republic late on Wednesday night before moving across Haiti on Thursday and towards the US coast.
Prospery Raymond, country manager for Christian Aid in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, said: “People are being moved to schools and churches for safety but in some areas, especially in the north west of Haiti, these buildings will not withstand the force of the storm.”
Ines Brill, a spokeswoman for the Red Cross in Haiti, urged people to get to the temporary shelters provided by the government.
She added: “We have been focusing on the north (of Haiti) but if the hurricane changes course that will be a big problem.”
Briton Alex Woolfall hid in a concrete stairwell as the hurricane hit while he was on holiday in St Maarten.
He tweeted: “My god this noise! It’s like standing behind a jet engine! Constant booms & bangs. At least concrete stairwell not moving.”
My God this noise! It’s like standing behind a jet engine!! Constant booms & bangs. At least concrete stairwell not moving. #Irma2017
— alex woolfall (@woolfallalex) September 6, 2017
Still thunderous sonic boom noises outside & boiling in stairwell. Can feel scream of things being hurled against building. #HurricaineIrma
— alex woolfall (@woolfallalex) September 6, 2017
International Development Secretary Priti Patel said: “Our staff are on stand-by, both in the UK and at post, to support any British people affected.”
The hurricane, which is now at the the highest classification possible, could reach the Florida Keys over the weekend, leading authorities to declare a state of emergency.
