Daily Times

Once Hurricane Irma’s outer bands headed north of Miami, Enrique Iglesias decided to drive around his hometown and assess the damage caused by the catastrophic hurricane.

“Driving on US-1, check this out,” the “Súbeme la Radio” singer points the camera to show the giant uprooted trees on the road behind him.

Enrique Iglesias was completely taken back by the aftermath on the streets that he frequents daily.

“Wow! Oh man, it’s really sad what’s going on in Miami. What’s going on with this hurricane and all the lives it’s affected? It sucks,” he says to the camera.

Right before the storm touched down in Florida, the Spanish singer shared an emotional message on his Instagram.

“Everyone who is in the path of Hurricane Irma please stay safe this weekend! Thanks to everyone sending prayers for those at risk,” he captioned this picture of the satellite photos of the destructive hurricane. “Let’s also keep in our thoughts & prayers those in the Caribbean already affected, as well as everyone in Texas rebuilding from Harvey! Save The Children has set up relief funds for survivors of both. Please consider donating. Donation link in profile.”

As the hurricane approached the coast of Florida, Iglesias shared a video on Instagram showing trees in his backyard taking a beating by the ferocious winds and rainfall. You can also hear a whistling noise caused by the storm.

“Irma is getting closer. Everyone in Florida stay safe #miami,” he wrote.

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson also gave an on-the-grounds look at the destruction Hurricane Irma has caused to Necker Island—his private island and resort in the British Virgin Islands.

Branson shared a photo of him standing in front of the aftermath. In the photo’s caption, he explained how Virgin Group’s entrepreneurial foundation Virgin Unite is working with the Unite BVI Foundation, Virgin Limited Edition and other organisations to support reconstruction efforts and help those within the British Virgin Island communities.

“We are using our foundation @virginunite to coordinate raising money for longer-term reconstruction projects,” he wrote. “Virgin Unite is also working with @unitebvi and @virginlimitededition to support the local BVI communities. They will be working with local organisations to identify the ongoing needs of affected individuals, families and communities affected by this disaster. We will support the mid to long-term efforts on the ground and help provide support as those affected recover from the disaster. Please donate what you can.”

On September 12, there was also the Hand in Hand – A Benefit for Hurricane Harvey Relief telethon, which aired live across networks NBC, ABC, CBS, CMT and Fox at 8pm on the East Coast and replayed at 8pm on the West Coast. The proceeds benefited a number of organisations like Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, Feeding Texas, Direct Relief, United Way, the Rebuild Texas Fund and the Mayor’s Fund for Hurricane Harvey Relief. The benefit has announced that it’s preparing to expand its beneficiaries to also help those affected by Hurricane Irma.

Published in Daily Times, September 20^th 2017.