Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified into a rare category five storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 160mph (260km/h), according to the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC).
US National Hurricane Centre director, Mike Brennan, described Erin as “extremely powerful,” noting it had “explosively deepened and intensified” overnight after starting as a tropical storm on Friday.
Hurricane Erin is in the Caribbean and is 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 in the mainland US.
Hurricane Erin underwent rapid intensification, in which a storm strengthens by at least least 34mph in a 24-hour period.
Erin’s winds had intensified from 100mph early in the hours of Saturday morning to 160mph, Mr Brennan said.
Next week, Hurricane Erin is forecast to move gradually northward, past the east of the Bahamas and up towards the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
The hurricane is expected to pass near to Puerto Rico on Sunday then move northwest. It will be near the Bahamas by 20:00 AST (GMT minus four hours) on Monday before heading northeast across the Atlantic Ocean.
The storm will generate life-threatening surf waves and rip currents – which can rapidly drag people out to sea – up almost the entire US east coast, said Mr Brennan.
Florida and mid-Atlantic states will see the most dangerous surf conditions, he said.
Bermuda could also see “life-threatening” surf conditions and heavy rainfall, Mr Brennan added.
Because of gale force winds, the US Coast Guard is imposing restrictions on vessels at ports on St Thomas and St John in the US Virgin Islands, as well as six municipalities in Puerto Rico, including San Juan.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the US government’s primary weather agency, has predicted an “above normal” Atlantic hurricane season this year.
The number of tropical storms that reach category four and five is projected to increase due to global warming.
(BBC)
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV
- Relationship Hangout: Public vs Private Proposals – Which Truly Wins in Love?
- “No” Is a Complete Sentence: Why You Should Stop Feeling Guilty
- Relationship Hangout: Friendship Talk 2025 – How to Be a Good Friend & Big Questions on Friendship
- Police Overpower Armed Robbers in Ibadan After Fierce Struggle
