Washington [US], August 17: Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified into a rare category five hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 260km/h, and expected to gain even more strength.
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.
Erin is in the Caribbean, expected to pass north of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend, bringing up to 6in (15cm) of rain, with potential for flash flooding and mudslides.
The first hurricane the 2025 Atlantic season, it is not currently forecast to make landfall on the mainland US. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
