Hurricane Erin briefly strengthened into a Category 5 storm. It is not expected to make a direct hit on the U.S. but will create dangerous surf.

With the perfect conditions for rapid intensification, Hurricane Erin became a Category 5 storm overnight, triggering warnings of potential flooding and landslides in northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands,

Erin became the first Atlantic hurricane of the year on Friday morning as it churned toward Caribbean islands. The storm had winds of 75 mph by 11 a.m. Eastern, according to the National Hurricane Center.