Erin strengthens: Category 5 hurricane threatens the Caribbean

Winds up to 257 km/h, the National Hurricane Center warns of flooding and torrential rains in the Lesser Antilles

Erin reaches maximum intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale – Hurricane Erin has reached category 5, the maximum level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with winds blowing at up to 160 mph (257 km/h). This was reported by CBS, citing the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), according to which the storm is now a direct threat to the Caribbean.

The path towards the Lesser Antilles
In an update at 11:20 a.m. local time, the NHC said that “hurricane hunters” had detected a further strengthening of the cyclone, which is heading towards the Lesser Antilles. The trajectory includes the US and British Virgin Islands, as well as Puerto Rico, territories that are preparing to face torrential rains and flooding.

The risk to local populations
A Category 5 hurricane involves winds exceeding 252 km/h, capable of causing widespread destruction and rendering affected areas uninhabitable for weeks. Local authorities have already issued weather alerts and initiated preventive evacuation plans for the most exposed coastal areas.

THE LATEST NEWS

[recent_post_slider design=”design-07″ show_author=”false” slider_height=”390″ lazyload=”progressive” limit=”6″ category=”11728″]

(Photo: © AndKronos)