Forecasters say Hurricane Erin has exploded into a Category 5 storm in the Atlantic Ocean just north of the Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center says the storm is north of the island of Anguilla with winds of 160 mph.

Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm on Saturday and is headed north through the Atlantic, where it's expected to miss the U.S., but bring dangerous conditions to coastal areas.

Tropical Storm Erin is expected to become a hurricane later today, Aug. 15, and a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph over the weekend. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or stronger, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.