Overview

• Erin reached Category 5 status with sustained winds near 255 km/h and is labeled “catastrophic” by the National Hurricane Center.
• The storm is forecast to pass just north of the northern Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico, exposing those islands to extreme winds and heavy rains that could trigger flash floods and landslides.
• Météo-France and the U.S. National Weather Service have issued yellow alerts and watches for areas from Saint-Martin to Guadeloupe and the U.S. Virgin Islands, highlighting rapid intensity shifts and track uncertainties.
• Hazardous swells and strong currents generated by Erin are expected to impact the Bahamas, Bermuda and parts of the U.S. East Coast, raising the risk of coastal erosion and dangerous surf.
• Scientists link Erin’s explosive intensification to warmer sea temperatures, and budget cuts at NOAA have raised concerns about future forecasting capacity.