Hurricane Irene batters the Caribbean - in pictures

A fire sweeps through Richard Branson's Caribbean holiday retreat. The blaze in the Great House on Necker Island was caused by a lightning strike and the building was completely destroyed Photograph: Virgin Limited Edition/PA

A woman is carried on a stretcher by civil defence workers after hurricane Irene struck Naguabo, Puerto Rico Photograph: Ricardo Arduengo/AP

A truck braves the storm as Irene hits Nagua in the Dominican Republic Photograph: Orlando Barria/EPA

People living near the shore are evacuated from their homes in Nagua Photograph: Orlando Barria/EPA

A boy walks on a flooded street after hurricane Irene hit Loiza, Puerto Rico. About 250mm (10 inches) of rain was reported Photograph: Ana Martinez/Reuters

A man wades through a flooded street in Naguabo, Puerto Rico Photograph: Ricardo Arduengo/AP

Men take a boat out of the sea at Santo Domingo, the Dominican capital, in preparation for Irene Photograph: Erika Santelices/AFP/Getty Images

The north coast of Santo Domingo Photograph: Erika Santelices/AFP/Getty Images

A child sleeps in a school converted into a shelter in Nagua Photograph: Orlando Barria/EPA

Hurricane Irene as it passes over Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic Photograph: NOAA/AP

A girl walks along a mud-filled street after it was flooded by the Nigua river in the Dominican Republic Photograph: Orlando Barria/EPA

A house in the Moscu neighborhood of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, is submerged after a river broke its banks Photograph: Roberto Guzman/AP

A woman sweeps mud out of her living room in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, after it was flooded Photograph: Roberto Guzman/AP

Residents look at a road damaged by the overflow of the Nigua river, Dominican Republic Photograph: Orlando Barr a/EPA

Residents search for belongings in the remains of their houses after flooding in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic Photograph: Roberto Guzman/AP

West Palm Beach, Florida, US: A man shops for hurricane supplies Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images