Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm in the Caribbean, earlier than forecasters had predicted.

The Atlantic’s first hurricane of the season had maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour, forecasters said.

It quickly powered up from a tropical storm to a Category 5 in a single day, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Erin rapidly strengthened offshore to a “catastrophic” Category 5 storm on Saturday, as rain lashed Caribbean ...

Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5 cyclone as it stayed safely north of the Caribbean ...

Storms that ramp up so quickly complicate forecasting and make it harder for government agencies to plan for emergencies.

While the compact hurricane's centre isn't expected to strike land, it threatens to dump flooding rains on the northeast Caribbean as it continues to grow larger.

Hurricane Erin briefly strengthened into a Category 5 storm. It is not expected to make a direct hit on the U.S. but will create dangerous surf.

Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean, with winds reaching 160 mph. While not forecast ...

Hurricane Erin rapidly exploded overnight from a Category 3 storm to a massive Category 5 and is expected to strengthen ...

Erin is now a Category 3 hurricane with outer rainbands producing gusty winds and heavy rains across the Virgin Islands, ...