While Erin is expected to take a northward turn in the Atlantic, a new system off the coast of Africa has the National Hurricane Center's attention.

A stronger and bigger Hurricane Erin pelted parts of the Caribbean and is forecast to create dangerous surf along the U.S. East Coast this week.

Hurricane Erin restrengthened into a Category 4 storm late Sunday, with forecasters warning it is expected to intensify and grow in size in the coming days as it lashes Caribbean islands with heavy rains that could cause flash floods and landslides.

Most of Erin’s intensification occurred during a 12- to 15-hour window overnight, according to Dan Pydynowski, a meteorologist at AccuWeather. By 5 p.m. Friday, Erin’s winds had remained only 75 mph.

PM

Despite this, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Erin is growing in size, with tropical-storm-strength winds extending 205 miles from its centre. Storm-related hazards, including flash flooding and landslides, are expected in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The storm will remain a major hurricane through the middle of the week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Disney Cruise Line changed the current itinerary of the Disney Treasure due to the expected impact of Hurricane Erin, with the ship moving to a Western Caribbean itinerary. After forming last week, the tropical storm became the first hurricane of the season and is moving towards the Caribbean with

An eyewall replacement cycle is underway within Hurricane Erin as the monster storm continues to barrel across the Atlantic while bringing gusty winds and rain to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands after rapidly intensifying into a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane over the weekend.