Topline
Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified to become a Category 5 storm on Saturday, one day after being upgraded from a tropical storm, as forecasters warned of flooding and possible landslides in the Caribbean through the weekend.
The Atlantic’s first hurricane of the season had maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour, forecasters said.
Associated Press
Key Facts
Hurricane Erin intensified into a Category 5 storm Saturday with maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest forecast.
The hurricane is moving west at about 16 miles per hour, with an expected turn toward the west-northwest, as the center of Hurricane Erin will likely move just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico through Sunday, the agency said.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Caribbean islands of St. Martin, St. Barthelemy and Sint Maarten.
Periods of heavy rainfall are forecast across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, as rainfall up to 6 inches in some areas could result in “considerable” flash flooding, including the possibility of landslides or mudslides.
Hurricane Erin likely will not impact the continental U.S., according to the National Hurricane Center, though life-threatening surf and rip currents could be produced along the East Coast as well as in water around the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas and Bermuda through early next week.
How Long Will Hurricane Erin Last?
The National Hurricane Center said “fluctuations in intensity” for Hurricane Erin are expected through the rest of the weekend, and will likely remain a major hurricane—a Category 3 storm or higher—through the middle of next week.
This is a developing story.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/08/16/hurricane-erin-strengthens-to-category-5-storm-heres-what-to-expect/