Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 3 storm Sunday as forecasters issued a tropical storm warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands while heavy rain and winds
lashed Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Erin, the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, had briefly reached Category 5 strength before losing intensity. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), the National Hurricane Center said, reports AP. By Sunday morning, Erin’s center was about 155 miles (245 kilometers) north of San Juan and nearly 300 miles (500 kilometres) east of Grand Turk Island. It was moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph). The hurricane knocked out power to more than 159,000 customers in Puerto Rico, according to Luma Energy, which manages the island’s electric grid. The NHC said 3 to 6 inches (7 to 15 centimeters) of rain was expected across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with isolated totals of up to 8 inches (20 centimeters). Swells from Erin were forecast to impact Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos over the next two days. The government of the Bahamas issued a tropical storm watch for the southeast islands. Scientists say climate change is driving more rapid hurricane intensification as warmer oceans and higher humidity provide storms with additional fuel.