Hurricane Erin Weakens to Category 3 as Forecasters Wait for Northward Turn

Heavy waves are seen at La Pared beach as Category 5 Hurricane Erin approaches in Luquillo, Puerto Rico on August 16, 2025. Hurricane Erin rapidly strengthened offshore to a “catastrophic” Category 5 storm on August 16, 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. (Photo by Ricardo ARDUENGO / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Erin has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands as winds and heavy rains continue to lash the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, reached Category 5 before weakening. The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported Sunday that Erin had maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. The storm’s center is about 235 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico. While the wind speeds have decreased, Erin has grown in size. Forecasters say the storm will move well away from the U.S. East Coast, but rip tides are possible.