Hurricane Erin strengthens into Category 5 storm
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Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hurricane Erin intensifies offshore, lashes Caribbean with rain
Hurricane Erin rapidly strengthened offshore to a "catastrophic" Category 5 storm on Saturday, as rain lashed Caribbean islands and weather officials warned of possible flash floods and landslides. The first hurricane of what is expected to be a particularly intense Atlantic season, Erin is expected to drench Caribbean islands with rain and strong winds but not make landfall. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest report the storm's maximum sustained winds had increased to 160 miles (255 kilometers) per hour. It was located about 135 miles (215 kilometers) northwest of Anguilla in the northern Leeward Islands, an area that includes the US and British Virgin Islands. A flash flood warning was issued for Saint Thomas and Saint John in the US Virgin Islands as outer rain bands from Erin swept across, according to the US National Weather Service. Tropical storm watches were in effect for St Martin, St Barthelemy, Sint Maarten and the Turks and Caicos Islands. "Erin is now a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane," the NHC announced earlier Saturday, denoting highly dangerous storms with sustained windspeeds above above 157 mph. The storm reached the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale just over 24 hours after becoming a Category 1 hurricane, a rapid intensification that scientists say has become more common due to global warming. The hurricane's center is expected to move over the weekend just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. It is then forecast to pass east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas on Sunday night before weakening. The storm could drench the islands with as much as six inches (15 centimeters) of rain in isolated areas, the NHC said. "Continued rapid strengthening is expected today, followed by fluctuations in intensity through the weekend," the agency said in an earlier report. It also warned of "locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides." - Climate hazard - Swells generated by Erin will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend. Those swells will spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda and the US East Coast early next week, creating "life-threatening surf and rip currents," the NHC said. The hurricane is expected to turn northwest on Saturday night, then turn northward early next week. It is expected to weaken from Monday. While meteorologists have expressed confidence that Erin will remain well off the US coastline, they said the storm could still cause dangerous waves and erosion in places such as North Carolina. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June until late November, is expected to be more intense than normal, US meteorologists predict. Several powerful storms wreaked havoc in the region last year, including Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 200 people in the southeastern United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -- which operates the NHC -- has been subject to budget cuts and layoffs as part of US President Donald Trump's plans to greatly reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy, leading to fears of lapses in storm forecasting. Human-driven climate change -- namely, rising sea temperatures caused by the burning of fossil fuels -- has increased both the possibility of the development of more intense storms, and their more rapid intensification, scientists say. bur-mlm/dl/des
Fox News
18 minutes ago
- Fox News
Extra: Why FOX News' Chad Pergram Is Always On 'Hight Alert' In August
It's August. Which is supposed to be a slow month as Congress is on recess and most Americans are enjoying these last few weeks of summer. But like in some years past, this August has already been full of some historic headlines. That is why FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram has always warned journalists to be on 'high alert' during August because big stories tend to surface. FOX News Rundown: From Washington, host Ryan Schmelz recently spoke with Chad about this and some of the major events that have taken place in the so-called dog days of summer. It was a fascinating conversation, and we thought you'd like to hear it. In a Fox News Rundown Extra exclusive, you will hear our entire conversation with FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Heat can't keep crowds away from Chicago Air & Water Show on the lakefront
The stifling heat on Saturday did not stop tens of thousands of people from packing the lakefront for the first day of the Chicago Air & Water Show. Fans at North Avenue beach did their best to stay cool while enjoying the show, many bringing personal fans to beat the heat as they watched the Thunderbirds and other high-flying acts. "We have our chairs, and we have our umbrella to shade us from the sun. We have our beautiful fans," said Roseanna Thompson. She and her husband, Nathaniel, showed up early for what they called the best seat in the house. "He was giving me a hard time about our setup, because he thinks I do too much," she said. It might have seemed like too much, but once they got there, it was the perfect setup, especially as temperatures climbed into the 90s. "Now he's so proud of it. He's just looking around just taking in all the compliments," Roseanna said. "Yeah, I'm cool now" Nathaniel said. "We come out here together, spend the day together. It's great," Nathieal said. Keeping their eyes on the Thunderbirds while staying cool seemed to be the main focus on day one for the crowds on the lakefront. Not far down the beach from the Thompsons, Dwayne Ford was enjoying the show with his family. "They love to see the water show and see the airplanes and see the tricks they do," he said. While Ford has brought the kids to see the show the past few year, it was mom's first time here. "It's amazing. Like he said, it's hot our here, but you don't even think about it when you see the planes just doing these tricks. It's like, wow," Desirea Watson said. "I like when they do spirals, and then they do freefalls," Maysen Ford said. The key is to come prepared and stay hydrated, especially with another packed day ahead on Sunday.
