WASHINGTON: 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.

A new system has emerged in the eastern tropical Atlantic, heading westward toward the Leeward Islands as Hurricane Erin continues to spin.

Implications for the Leeward Islands: Residents and visitors in St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Puerto Rico and the northern Leeward Islands should monitor this system throughout the week. Even if the wave remains weak, increased moisture could bring showers, gusty winds and higher seas toward the end of the week.

Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen into a powerful hurricane and could bring heavy rain, damaging winds and dangerous surf to the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend. AccuWeather meteorologists say a turn toward the west-northwest is likely before Erin reaches the islands.

Outside magazine, October 1995 Leeward Islands By Matthew Joyce, Tom Morrisey The islands of the Lesser Antilles' northern chain may share a location sheltered from prevailing northeasterlies, but ...

Hurricane Erin is remaining a rare Category 5 hurricane as it passes north of the Northern Leeward Islands. Erin is expected to continue to bring rain, gusty winds and high surf to parts of the Caribbean this weekend before pivoting northward and passing between Bermuda and the U.

Erin strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on Friday morning east of the Caribbean Islands and is expected to keep strengthening through the weekend.