The storm is not currently forecast to hit land, but its strong winds are impacting nearby islands, prompting warnings of possible flooding and landslides.

Forecasters say Hurricane Erin has exploded into a Category 5 storm in the Atlantic Ocean just north of the Caribbean.

Hurricane Erin is now a Category 5 storm as it rapidly intensified and threatens the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico, then will move along the U.S. East Coast

Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified into a category five hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 160mph (260km/h). National Hurricane Center Director Mike Brennan told a briefing that the "extremely powerful" storm had "explosively deepened and intensified" overnight after growing from tropical storm strength on Friday.

The storm is expected to continue strengthening until it reaches Category 4 strength, with windspeeds around 145 mph.

Erin, moving near the Leeward Islands, is expected to pass north of Puerto Rico this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said.

From the track to intensification, here's what we can expect from Tropical Storm Erin as it strengthens into the Atlantic's first hurricane of the 2025 season.

Hurricane Erin is bringing heavy rain to the U.S. Virgin Islands on Saturday as the Category 5 storm moves through the Caribbean