General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBransons Necker Island devastation- Support for several local Islands.
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Published on Sep 10, 2017
Richard Branson's Island Destroyed and Pictures Show He's Lucky to Be Alive
Branson prepared for the hurricane as much as he can, but decided to remain on the island and wait out the storm.
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brush
(53,771 posts)The windows are taped but it's a cellar, underneath the main building I would guess.
Wonder how it withstood the flooding?
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)has a cellar, a basement.
I miss having a basement in Houston. Any basement would flood for sure here. I could call it an indoor pool & stock with fish!
brush
(53,771 posts)Warpy
(111,249 posts)and his ultra exclusive, ultra expensive private island for the ultra rich will open on schedule for the winter season.
Too many people in the region are barely staying alive to worry about one billionaire.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)hires many local employees off neighboring islands. The same people work for him for years.
adigal
(7,581 posts)Rebuilding beach front homes over and over, for the richest among us, using federal dollars.
Meanwhile, poor kids don't get enough food each month.
Sigh.
Caliman73
(11,735 posts)but not every wealthy person is bad and never suffers.
You are right. He has an expensive private island. It is exclusive to those who can pay. However, he actually provides employment, doesn't cheat people, pays a living wage, and people like to work with and for him. We cannot fall into the trap of thinking that every rich person is evil and out only to exploit others and enrich themselves.
Even Branson himself said that what happened to his property was not good, but focused on others who are not in the position that he is to recover.
Xolodno
(6,390 posts)Truth be told, insurance companies won't even touch small islands in the Caribbean or insure anything on the beach. If they do, then there is a huge deductible and super expensive. Or, they only cover fire and exclude wind and flood.
He could get coverage from Lloyd's, but I suspect that carries a heavy price as well. I'd bet he probably has a combination of money locked up in an account for this and partially insures an amount after he exhausts that reserve first.
Lucinda
(31,170 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)President Obama gave up ocean water-play for 8 years. One of the first things he enjoyed again, soon as he was free.
Obamas pose with some locals who asked for a photo.