Erin became a Category 5 hurricane as of Saturday morning, packing winds over 160 miles per hour, and is passing north of the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico Saturday evening.

Hurricane Erin exploded in strength to a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

Even if it does remain offshore, Erin could also generate rough surf and dangerous rip currents along the US East Coast next week.