Hurricane Erin on Saturday strengthened to a catastrophic Category 5 storm as it barrelled towards the Caribbean, with weather officials warning of possible flash floods and landslides.The

As of Saturday morning, Erin has become a Category 5 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds are at 160 mph, and the storm is moving west-northwest at 17 mph with a lower pressure down to 917 mb. Erin is encountering warmer ocean water as it moves closer to the northernmost Leeward Islands. Hurricane Hunters are currently investigating the storm.

Hurricane Erin rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 storm. It is not expected to make a direct hit on the U.S. but will create dangerous surf.

Hurricane Erin strengthened rapidly to a Category 3 storm early today as it churned towards the Caribbean, with a warning issued that flash floods

Tropical Storm Erin on Tuesday continued to push west through the Atlantic with the National Hurricane Center still forecasting it to become a major hurricane, and Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands now within the projected path.

Tropical Storm Erin has begun strengthening as it streaks west across the Atlantic and is on track to reach hurricane status as soon as Friday, prompting tropical storm watches in the northern Leeward Islands.

Hurricane Erin has developed into a category 5 hurricane as of Saturday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Erin is expected to reach major hurricane intensity this weekend as it tracks just north of the Caribbean islands, where it could bring rain, gusty winds and high surf.Erin's longer-term future through next week is still somewhat uncertain,