The most powerful Atlantic Ocean storm in recorded history has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, killing at least 14 people and leaving thousands homeless.

Hurricane Irma, initially a Category Five storm, tore past Puerto Rico on Wednesday with winds speeds of 185mph, churning a path through Anguilla, St Barts, St Martin and the British Virgin Islands.

Before-and-after photos from some of the worst-affected areas show the extent of the damage.

Everything on the tiny island of Barbuda, which has a population of around 1,600, was razed to the ground.

“Barbuda is literally rubble. The entire housing stock was damaged. It is just a total devastation,” Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne told local news station ABS.

The hurricane is making its way towards Florida, which is on high alert and has ordered mandatory evacuations.

The Eden Rock Hotel on the Caribbean island of St Barthelemy, otherwise known as St Barts, was devastated by the storm.

The hotel, owned by Pippa Middleton's in-laws, was one of the first resorts built on the island in the 1950s.

The Eden Rock Hotel before the storm struck (Google Street View)

Eden Rock Hotel in St Barts (Facebook)

Saint Martin, which has a population of roughly 77,000 people, was left in ruins after the hurricane.

Marigot, a town in Saint Martin, before Irma (Wiki Commons)

The town of Marigot after the storm (AFP/Getty Images)

A state of emergency was declared in the British Virgin Islands,a collection of 40 islands and inlets.

Tortola is the largest island, home to 24,000 people.

An aerial view of Paraquita Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (Google)

Boats lie crammed against the shore in Paraquita Bay as the eye of Hurricane Irma passed Tortola (Reuters)

Irma ripped through St Barthelemy, destroying homes and hotels.

Gustavia in St Barts before the storm hit (Wiki Commons)

A picture released by Facebook user Kevin Barralon a damaged street in Gustavia (Facebook)