As of Friday evening, Hurricane Erin had strengthened into a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of up to 100 mph and "expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane this weekend," the National Hurricane Center said at 11 p.m. ET.

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

Hurricane Erin strengthened rapidly to a Category 3 storm early Saturday as it churned towards the Caribbean, with a warning issued that flash floods and landslides were possible.It also warned of "locally considerable flash and urban flooding,