Stunning satellite images from NASA Earth Observatory show how powerful Hurricane Irma hit the islands when the Category 5 hurricane passed through the U.S. and British Virgin Islands with 185 mph winds.
The satellite images were taken on August 25 and then again on September 10 and the lush green islands are now brown.
NASA Earth Observatory said that the reason the islands are now brown can be attributed to several factors. One, the powerful hurricane ripped away the islands lush green vegetation leaving a view of more bare ground. Also, a salt spray could have whipped up, coated and dried out the leaves while they were still on the trees.
Hurricane Irma passed over the Virgin Islands on September 6 and caused considerable damage.
A close up of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands gives a better representation of how much of the green vegetation was stripped away during the storm.
However, the good news is that the vegetation will grow back and the islands will soon be green again.
