Hurricane Erin explodes into Cat 5 storm and is expected to double - even triple - in coming days
Hurricane Erin explodes in strength to a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean
- Hurricane Erin, the first major hurricane of the North American season, has intensified to a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 miles per hour.
- Forecasters do not expect Erin to make landfall in the U.S., but it will generate dangerous surf conditions and strong rip currents along the entire East Coast.
- The storm is predicted to turn north after this weekend, passing between Bermuda and North Carolina's Outer Banks before heading into the Atlantic Ocean.
- The Caribbean, specifically the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, is expected to experience heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding this weekend.
- By mid-next week, Erin is forecast to significantly expand in size, leading to rough ocean conditions across parts of the western Atlantic.