Hurricane Irma leaves path of destruction in Caribbean as it approaches :(

Twelve people were killed on the two islands by Hurricane Irma, which also flattened thousands of buildings and has left the authorities struggling to control looting.

Residents are still grappling with dwindling supplies.

"We have only 12 bottles of water for a family of three to wash and drink," said Saint Barts resident Olivier Toussaint.

When Irma hit on Wednesday, it ripped off roofs and uprooted trees, tossing cars and boats about like matchsticks.

Debris still clogs the streets, many homes are uninhabitable, communications are still down and tens of thousands are without food, water or power.

Nicolas, an official posted in Saint Martin for six years who gave only one name, is "angry with Paris and the way it's handling the crisis".

He said he had little information on what to do and "no information or addresses" for those rendered homeless. There were soldiers but with little equipment, he added.

On the seafront, a woman wept as she spoke on the telephone. "We've lost everything you know. There's nothing left."

Officials said they would begin distributing food rations and water after Hurricane Jose had passed.

On the southern Dutch half of the island, 70 percent of the infrastructure has been destroyed in the storm, officials said.