Hurricane Erin Strengthens to Category 4, Threatening Caribbean Islands

Erin has officially become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season and is rapidly gaining power. On Friday, it strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with winds near 75 mph and was forecasted to escalate into a major storm by the weekend. As predicted, Saturday morning, Erin strengthened to a Category 4 with wind speeds of 130mph.

This is the first major hurricane of the Atlantic this year.

Who's in the Storm's Crosshair

Erin is projected to pass just north of the northern Leeward Islands this weekend, bringing heightened danger to nearby areas. Tropical Storm Watches have already been issued for Anguilla, Barbuda, St. Barts, St. Martin, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. Islands like Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands are also at risk as outer bands move through.