By DÁNICA COTO Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Erin strengthened into a powerful Category 4 hurricane in the Caribbean on Saturday and continues to intensify, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm is currently 150 miles northeast of Anguilla with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. It is moving west-northwest at 20 mph.

It is currently not forecast to hit land, but strong winds are affecting nearby islands, prompting forecasters to warn of possible flooding, landslides and mudslides. The Hurricane Center said it will eventually swerve away from the continental United States.

Tropical storm watches are in place for St. Martin, St. Barts and St. Maarten.

“The outer bands of Erin are expected to produce areas of heavy rainfall through Sunday across the northern Leeward I

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