Hurricane Erin exploded into a catastrophic Category 5 storm on Saturday, with sustained winds near 160 mph and a central pressure around 917 mb, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. As of 2 p.m. Atlantic time, the compact and powerful system was located approximately 110 miles north of Anguilla and 205 miles east-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, moving westward at 16 mph.
Forecasters expect Erin’s core to remain just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Sunday. However, outer rainbands could bring up to 6 inches of rainfall, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides. Tropical-storm watches are currently in effect for St. Martin, St. Barts, and Sint Maarten, while emergency officials in the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos have begun opening shelters and urging residents to stay alert.
Even if Erin’s eye stays offshore, the storm is projected to send dangerous swells and rip currents toward the Bahamas, Bermuda, and much of the U.S. East Coast early next week. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for hazardous surf and coastal erosion from the Carolinas to New England between August 20 and August 27.
Erin marks the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season and the fifth named storm overall. It underwent explosive intensification, jumping from a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds to Category 5 in just 24 hours—fueled by unusually warm Atlantic waters and minimal wind shear. In response, U.S. authorities have deployed over 200 FEMA personnel to Puerto Rico and temporarily closed eight regional seaports as they continue to monitor Erin’s long-range trajectory.
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