Hurricane Erin on Saturday strengthened to a "catastrophic" Category 5 storm as it barrelled 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 160 miles (255 kilometers) per hour by 11:20 am (1520 GMT).

Erin, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season this year, was located about 105 miles (170 kilometers) northeast of Anguilla in the northern Leeward Islands, an area that includes the US and British Virgin Islands.

"Erin is now a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane," the NHC said.

Tropical storm watches remained in effect for St Martin, St Barthelemy and Sint Maarten.

The hurricane's center is expected to move over the weeken

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