SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Erin strengthened into a hurricane on Friday as it approached the northeast Caribbean, prompting forecasters to warn of possible flooding and landslides.
The storm is expected to remain over open waters, although tropical storm watches were issued for Anguilla and Barbuda, St. Martin and St. Barts, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten.
Heavy rains were forecast to start late Friday in Antigua and Barbuda, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and southern and eastern Puerto Rico. Up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) are expected, with isolated totals of up to 6 inches (15 centimeters), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Forecasters also warned of dangerous swells.
The storm was located about 460 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands. It had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was moving west-northwest at 18 mph.
Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry said Erin is forecast to eventually take a sharp turn northeast that would put it on a path between the U.S. and Bermuda.
“The forecasts for next week still keep the future hurricane safely east of the mainland U.S.,” he said.
While no direct impacts are in the forecast for the Carolinas nor the WCCB Charlotte viewing area, rough surf and dangerous rip currents may pose threats to beachgoers this coming week. The Outer Banks, which has seen multiple homes swallowed up by the Atlantic over the past decade, may be particularly susceptible to tide changes caused by Erin as it rips offshore.
This year’s season is once again expected to be unusually busy. The forecast calls for six to 10 hurricanes, with three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph.
