The NHC said it currently expected Erin to become a Category 4 storm later Saturday but to eventually swerve away from the continental United States.

Hurricane Erin strengthened rapidly to a Category 3 storm early Saturday as it churned towards the Caribbean, with a warning issued that flash floods and landslides were possible.It also warned of "locally considerable flash and urban flooding,

The storm is about 150 miles northeast of Anguilla with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. It is moving west-northwest at 20 mph and is not expected to hit land, although strong winds are affecting nearby islands.