Hurricane Erin exploded in strength to a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean before weakening on Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said.

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, the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, rapidly intensified Friday night, with the storm now reaching Category 5 strength with sustained winds of 160 mph.

Erin briefly strengthened into a 'catastrophic' Category 5 storm before its windspeeds weakened. However, the Category 3 Hurricane will still bring heavy rains.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Hurricane Erin is still expected to churn up dangerous waves and rip currents and could bring tropical force winds to North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

After completing an eye wall replacement cycle, Hurricane Erin has now restrengthened to a Category 4 hurricane. Erin had max sustained winds of 130 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an update on Sunday evening.