THESE jaw-dropping before and after pictures show just how much devastation was inflicted on Caribbean islands by Hurricane Irma.

The satellite images lay bare the devastating effect the Category 4 storm caused St Martin, Antigua and Barbuda and Turks and Caicos.

25 Anse Marcel, in St Martin in August 2016 Credit: AP:Associated Press

25 ...and the same area on Monday September 11, 2017 Credit: AP:Associated Press

25 Before the storm in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Credit: AP:Associated Press

25 After the Hurricane. Turks and Caicos was hit hard by Irma Credit: AP:Associated Press

25 Philipsburg in Saint Martin before Hurricane Irma Credit: AP:Associated Press

25 Philipsburg afterwards. Irma cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, leaving thousands homeless after destroying buildings and uprooting trees Credit: AP:Associated Press

25 Codrington in Antigua and Barbuda, in April 2014 Credit: AP:Associated Press

25 Codrington on Friday, September 8 Credit: AP:Associated Press

25 Nasa's Landsat 8 satellite shows the British and US Virgin Islands on August 25 Credit: Nasa

25 The same area captured on September 10 Credit: Nasa

25 A close-up of Virgin Gorda before Hurricane Irma Credit: Nasa

25 The differences in ocean colour likely stem from the ocean's roughness being different Credit: Nasa

Meanwhile, hundreds of people across an island shared by Dutch St. Maarten and French St Martin are trying to rebuild the lives they had before the hurricane hit.

But many like Dominga Tejera are struggling to maintain a semblance of the life they had before Irma as they fight off hunger and thirst.

She cried as she said: ""It's sad when you come home to this.

"You try to stay strong in public, but once inside, you break."

"There's no food here. There's no water here," added 70-year-old Germania Perez.

Help was making it to the island from the Dutch and French governments, other nations and private organisations.

25 Antigua and Barbuda in the eastern Caribbean were directly hit by the category-5 storm Credit: Nasa

25 The destruction is clearly visible on Barbuda Credit: Nasa

25 A shot from a helicopter of the damage caused by Hurricane Irma on the Island of Anguilla Credit: PA:Press Association

25 Ministry of Defence released the images, which reveal the harrowing extent of the damage Credit: PA:Press Association

25 The Ministry of Defence has sent soldiers and airmen to help victims of the hurricane Credit: PA:Press Association

A French military ship with supplies was due to arrive Tuesday, coinciding with a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived Tuesday in Guadeloupe, the first step of his visit to French Caribbean islands.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander, who arrived on Monday, said the scenes of devastation he witnessed on St. Maarten in the hurricane's aftermath were the worst he had ever seen.

And Royal Marines landed on the British Virgin islands with supplies for locals.

In images broadcast by Dutch national network NOS, Willem-Alexander said: "I've never experienced anything like this before and I've seen a lot of natural disasters in my life. I've seen a lot of war zones in my life, but I've never seen anything like this."

25 A man sits on a porch in destroyed Philipsburg after the passing of Hurricane Irma in St Martin Credit: AP:Associated Press

25 A picture released by the MOD shows the damage caused by Hurricane Irma on the British Virgin Isles Credit: AFP

25 Royal Marines from 59 Commando Squadron, supporting the local community in Tortola, in the British Virgin Isles Credit: PA:Press Association

25 A woman in tears as she waits to board a plane and leave the island after it was devastated by Hurricane Irma Credit: Reuters

25 Troops talk to local residents on the storm-ravaged isle Credit: PA:Press Association

25 Locals in the British Virgin Isles have had their homes devastated by Hurricane Irma Credit: PA:Press Association

25 Business tycoon Sir Richard Branson posted videos of the destruction in Necker Island Credit: PA:Press Association

25 Floods cut off the stricken Keys, where mortuary teams were sent in Credit: AP:Associated Press

Willem-Alexander said he was encouraged to see residents already working together to rebuild the shattered capital, Philipsburg. He was scheduled to fly Tuesday to the nearby Dutch islands of Saba and St. Eustatius, which also were hit by Irma, but suffered less damage than St. Martin.

Hundreds of tourists are still trying to leave the island, with dozens lining up outside the Princess Juliana Airport.

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