Erin Forecast To Strengthen To Category 4 Hurricane As It Heads North

Storm to bring heavy rains and gusty winds to Puerto Rico and dangerous rip currents along the U.S. East Coast this weekend.

Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen into a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of up to 156 mph as it moves across the open Atlantic, according to AccuWeather hurricane experts. The storm is forecast to curve north, largely sparing the U.S. mainland from a direct hit, but it will still have significant impacts.

While the storm’s core is predicted to pass about 200 miles north of Puerto Rico, the outer rain bands will bring heavy rain and gusty winds to the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend. AccuWeather’s Lead Hurricane Expert, Alex DaSilva, warned that the torrential rainfall could trigger flash flooding and localized