SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Hurricane Erin has rapidly strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm in the Caribbean, packing maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) as it churns 150 miles (240 km) northeast of Anguilla, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Saturday morning.
Moving west-northwest at 20 mph (31 km/h), Erin is not currently forecast to make landfall, but its outer bands are already lashing the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico with strong winds and heavy rainfall. Forecasters warn of possible flooding, landslides, and mudslides across the region.
Tropical storm watches are in effect for St. Martin, St. Barts, and St. Maarten. The NHC says the storm, currently compact, will expand in size over the coming days, creating hazardous seas across the western Atlantic.
Hurricane experts predict Erin will take a sharp northeast turn early next week, steering it east of the U.S. mainland but potentially bringing it dangerously close to Bermuda, which could find itself on the hurricane’s stronger eastern side.
Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and the first to reach hurricane strength this year. With unusually warm ocean temperatures fueling its rapid intensification, forecasters expect this season to be busier than average, with as many as 10 hurricanes and up to five major storms.
Authorities in Puerto Rico have placed the island under a flood watch through Monday, prepared 367 shelters, and closed multiple seaports. The U.S. Coast Guard has also restricted vessel traffic, while the Bahamas has readied public shelters as a precaution.
Disaster officials are urging residents to remain alert, noting the storm’s potential for sudden changes in strength and direction.