Sir Richard Branson's son details Irma's devastation as he confirms his father survived deadly hurricane by hiding in his Necker Island home's wine cellar

Billionaire Virgin boss Richard Branson retreated to his wine cellar as the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic circled directly over his Necker Island complex in the British Virgin Islands. As of 1pm local time, his home on Necker Island was in directly in the eye of Hurricane Irma (bottom right) and the storm continued to batter the area for several hours. Branson had previously announced he will not leave his home (top right, barricaded) on the British Virgin Islands despite Hurricane Irma - which is the size of France - threatening 'potentially catastrophic' as it lashes the Caribbean with 185mph winds. Speaking of his experience on Tuesday, Branson - who is staying with an entire team of staff (left, the team sleeping in the same room) on the island - said the 'howling wind and rain' battered his home and created an 'eerie but beautiful' atmosphere. He wrote on his blog on Wednesday: 'We are expecting to get the full force of the hurricane in around five hours' time, when we will retreat to a concrete wine cellar under the Great House. 'Knowing our wonderful team as I do, I suspect there will be little wine left in the cellar when we all emerge.' But Branson is not the only notable figure with something to lose in the storm - a host of celebrities could see their homes wrecked by Hurricane Irma as it smashes into the Caribbean.