Hurricane Erin strengthens to Category 5
(NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Hurricane Erin rapidly strengthens to a Category 5 storm as it nears the Caribbean.
The storm was a Category 3 storm by Friday evening before strengthened to a Category 5 Saturday morning.
Erin is expected to curve north between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda this week, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The Hurricane Center in Florida said as of 11:20 a.m. Eastern, the massive hurricane is heading west at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.
Erin is not forecasted to hit land as of now, but the winds are impacting nearby islands, and prompting warnings of possible floods and landslides.
Officials in Bermuda have prepared public shelters as they advise residents to track the hurricane.
