Hurricane Erin Downgraded to Category 4; Remnants Batter Caribbean
Hurricane Erin, which had reached a rare Category 5 status, has now weakened to a Category 4 storm. Although no longer at its peak strength, it remains a "large and dangerous major hurricane." The storm's outer bands have already impacted Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, leading to power outages and significant rainfall.
Current Status and Forecasted Path:
As of the morning of August 18, Hurricane Erin was a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (209 km/h).
The storm’s core is predicted to pass east of the southeastern Bahamas on Monday before moving between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast by the middle of the week.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has stated that while direct landfall on the U.S. mainland is not expected, the hurricane's effects will be felt along the Eastern Seaboard in the form of life-threatening surf and rip currents.
Impact on Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands:
Even after being downgraded to a Category 3 on Sunday, Erin's outer bands brought heavy rains and tropical-storm-force winds to the islands.
In Puerto Rico, the storm caused power outages for over 147,000 customers, though most of the power has since been restored.
The storm prompted the cancellation of more than 20 flights and the temporary closure of ports.
Broader Context:
Erin is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season to reach Category 5 status and is one of the fastest-intensifying storms on record.
Experts note that the rapid intensification of hurricanes has become more frequent, a phenomenon linked to climate change and abnormally warm ocean temperatures.
