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Americas and the Caribbean
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Erin strengthens to become first hurricane in Atlantic this season

The Category 5 hurricane is expected to bring strong winds, floods and landslides to islands in the Caribbean

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People disregard a warning flag on the beach in Condado, Puerto Rico, on Friday as Hurricane Erin approaches. Photo: AP
Associated Press
Hurricane Erin exploded in strength to a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm in the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day, the National Hurricane Centre said.

While the compact hurricane’s centre was not expected to hit land, it threatened to dump flooding rains as it continued to grow larger.

The first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, Erin ramped up from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in a mere 24 hours. By late Saturday morning, its maximum sustained winds more than doubled to 255km/h (160 mph).

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The hurricane was located 170km (105 miles) north of Anguilla at about 11am on Saturday, moving west at 28km/h (17mph). The storm’s centre was forecast to remain at sea without making landfall, passing north of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Erin was close enough to affect nearby islands. Tropical storm watches were issued for St. Martin, St. Barts and St. Maarten. The Hurricane Centre warned that heavy rain in some areas could trigger flash flooding, landslides and mudslides.

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Tropical-storm force wind gusts are possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeast Bahamas.

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