Hurricane Erin is remaining a rare Category 5 hurricane as it passes north of the Northern Leeward Islands.

Erin became a Category 3 hurricane in the Caribbean early Saturday and is expected to strengthen further during the day, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported.

The outer bands of Erin are expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of rainfall and isolated totals of 6 inches across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Aug. 17.

Hurricane Erin exploded in strength to a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Erin, the first of the 2025 Atlantic season, strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds.

Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to affect the U.S. East Coast next week, with waves reaching up to 15 feet (5 meters) along parts of the North Carolina coast that could cause beach erosi...