Hurricane Erin strengthens into catastrophic Category 5 storm

The hurricane was located about 170 km north of Anguilla, with maximum sustained winds near 255 km/h, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Forecasters expect Erin to strengthen further over the southwestern Atlantic through the weekend and into next week.

Swells generated by the storm are already affecting the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The NHC said the swells will reach the Bahamas, Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast early next week.

Andrew Siffert, a senior meteorologist at BMS Group, warned of an unusual risk if Erin evolves into a large extratropical cyclone offshore. He said critically dry fuels in parts of the region, combined with strong dry winds and human ignition sources, could raise the threat of wildfires.

Insurance-linked securities investment manager Twelve Securis said forecasts show Erin remaining far enough offshore to spare the U.S. East Coast from major damage.

The storm is projected to pass north of the northern Leeward Islands before turning north between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda around Monday. The NHC said Erin is expected to bring heavy rainfall through Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

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