Hurricane Erin Rapidly Intensifying – Which Areas Are Threatened

Hurricane Erin, the first of the season in the Atlantic, is rapidly intensifying, putting the Caribbean islands on alert. The tropical storm has turned into a Category 1 hurricane with winds reaching 75 km/h.

On Friday morning, the hurricane was about 415 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands and moving west-northwest. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for many islands, with the possibility of winds between 64 and 110 km/h.

Meteorologists predict that the hurricane's path will turn north, moving it away from the US, but do not rule out it strengthening to Category 3 or 4. NOAA predicts a particularly active year for the Atlantic.

Caribbean residents are urged to monitor developments. So far, Tropical Storm Chantal is the only one to have made landfall in the US this year.

Erin's increased strength comes as the Atlantic hurricane season approaches its peak in September.