Hurricane Erin strengthened to a Category 4 storm Saturday as it churned towards the Caribbean, with weather officials warning of possible flash floods and landslides.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest report the storm's maximum sustained winds had increased to 145 miles (230 kilometers) per hour by 8:00 am (1200 GMT), making it a major hurricane.

Erin, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season this year, was located about 120 miles (195 kilometers) northeast of Anguilla in the northern Leeward Islands, an area that includes the US and British Virgin Islands.

"Erin is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale," the NHC said. "Continued rapid strengthening is expected today, followed by fluctuations in intensity through the weekend."

Trop

See Full Page