Hurricane Erin has undergone rapid intensification, transitioning from a Category 1 with winds of 75 mph to a Category 5 with winds of 160 mph within 24 hours. This phenomenon, linked to global warming, is becoming more common. Erin is one of only 43 recorded Category 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic and the 11th since 2016. Though it’s expected to veer north of Puerto Rico, it may bring severe weather and dangerous surf conditions to the U.S. East Coast and the Atlantic. Flood warnings are in place for parts of the Caribbean, and heavy rainfall is anticipated. Erin marks the first major hurricane of the season, with expectations for increased tropical activity in August and September.
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