(Washington) Erin Reinforced on Saturday in category 5 hurricane, the highest of the Saffir-Simpson scale, as it continues its road to the Caribbean, threatening intense rains and floods several islands.
With sustained winds now up to nearly 255 km/h, Erin Continues its progression to small West Indies, a region including the American and British virgin islands, and Puerto Rico, reports the American Hurricane Center (NHC).
Having become at the start of the morning “major hurricane”, that is to say a category 3 or more hurricane, it quickly passed in category 4 then 5.
He should then know “intensity fluctuations throughout the weekend,” warned the NHC earlier on Saturday.
The center ofErinfirst hurricane of the season in the North Atlantic, should pass just north of the small Antilles and Puerto Rico, according to weather forecasts.
The storm could cause up to 15 centimeters of rain in certain isolated areas, running the risk of significant floods, landslides or mudslides, prevent meteorological authorities.
The hurricane should then operate a northwest turn and get closer to the Bahamas at the end of the weekend, early next week. If he had to stay far from the American coast, he could nevertheless lead to strong waves and coastal erosion, especially in North Carolina.
The swells generated by Erin will affect part of the northern islands of small Antilles, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), as well as Turkish-and-Caican Islands.
They will then extend next week to the Bahamas, Bermuda and the East Côte East of the United States, causing dangerous waves and potentially fatal currents, according to the NHC.
The Hurricane season, which extends from early June to the end of November, should be more intense than normal this year, according to estimates by American weather authorities.
Last year, the region was marked by several very powerful and murderous storms, including Hurgagan Hélène who left more than 200 people in the south-east of the United States.
By warming the seas, climate change makes rapid intensification of storms more likely and increases the risk of more powerful phenomena, according to scientists.