Caribbean: Hurricane Erin Strengthens to Category 5

Hurricane Erin, the first of the season in the North Atlantic, was upgraded to Category 5 on Saturday – the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale – as it approaches the Caribbean islands, threatening them with floods and landslides.

Accompanied by winds blowing at 240 km/h, Hurricane Erin is heading towards the Lesser Antilles, an area that includes the US and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States, Hurricane Erin was located approximately 235 kilometers northeast of Puerto Rico on Saturday night.

The hurricane is expected to move northwest and approach the Bahamas on Sunday night, before weakening. Although it is expected to remain far enough away from the east coast of the US, large waves may reach North Carolina.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has predicted 13-18 tropical storms in the Atlantic Ocean this year, about half of which (5-9) are expected to develop into hurricanes.

Source: AΠΕ-ΜΠΕ-AFP-Reuters