Hurricane Erin strengthened rapidly to a Category 3 storm early Saturday as it churned towards the Caribbean, with a warning issued that flash floods and landslides were possible.

Hurricane Erin rapidly strengthened offshore to a “catastrophic” Category 5 storm on Saturday, as rain lashed Caribbean islands and weather officials warned of possible flash floods and landslides.

Hurricane Erin, the first tropical cyclone of the 2025 Atlantic season, has become a catastrophic Category 5 storm, according to the US National Hurricane Centre. The storm is 170 kilometres north of Anguilla, with maximum sustained winds near 255 km/h.