Hurricane Irma: Damage mapped

The most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade has left a trail of destruction in the Caribbean, affecting an estimated 1.2 million people.

Irma, now downgraded to a tropical storm, reached the highest, category five status, and packed sustained winds of up to 295km/h (185mph).

The storm cut a devastating trail across Caribbean countries and territories, killing at least 37 people there.

It then moved up through the US states of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, where an estimated 12 people died, before weakening into a tropical depression.

Images emerging from storm-hit areas show the extent of damage to island communities.

Hurricane Irma left the British overseas territory of Barbuda "barely inhabitable" according to the Prime Minister, Gaston Browne.

Most of the island's population of just over 1,600 live in the town of Codrington, where an initial assessment using satellite images appears to show most of the buildings have been damaged.

Many buildings have been completely destroyed and debris litters the town.

At least five people died in Tortola, part of the British Virgin Islands.

Road Town, is the capital, and has become popular as a centre for yacht chartering and tourism.

An RAF A400M transport plane arrived on Saturday, bringing dozens of soldiers to help kick-start the recovery process.

The airport has been badly damaged, but the arrivals lounge is now being used as a base for the recovery operation.

The island that comprises the French territory of Saint Martin and the Dutch section Sint Maarten has suffered widespread damage. At least nine people have been killed.

Two hundred and fifty Dutch troops have been deployed to deliver aid, food, medical supplies and building materials - and to maintain security.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said local authorities on the French side believed 95% of the houses there had been damaged, and 60% had been left uninhabitable.

Philipsburg, the main town in the Dutch half of the island, has suffered widespread damage.

One resident told the BBC the island looked as if it had been struck by a nuclear bomb, with roofs torn off many of the main buildings, including the hospital.

Irma struck the Turks and Caicos, ripping off roofs on the main island, Grand Turk, flooding streets and causing a widespread black-out.

The island of Providenciales is a popular tourist destination and dozens of holidaymakers were caught on the island unable to leave before the hurricane hit.

Hurricane Irma moved along the north coast of Cuba, killing at least 10 people and causing significant damage to coastal communities and tourist resorts, cutting off power to large areas.

Irma's trail of destruction in Caribbean

Southern Florida, and especially the low-lying archipelago known as the Keys, bore the brunt of the storm.

But the storm moved up and across the country, hitting inland areas like Immokalee.

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Damage is still being assessed but seems to be less than feared, as the hurricane lost power on its way up the peninsula.

However, cities like Miami and Jacksonville suffered flooding, and some 60% of homes across Florida were left without power.

The storm also brought torrential rain to Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama.