Despite this, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Erin is growing in size, with tropical-storm-strength winds extending 205 miles from its centre. Storm-related hazards, including flash flooding and landslides, are expected in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Forecasters say Hurricane Erin has exploded into a Category 5 storm in the Atlantic Ocean just north of the Caribbean.

Hurricane Erin on Sunday weakened from a powerful Category 5 to a still-dangerous Category 3 with maximum sustained winds of 125 miles per hour, but the system has grown in size as it edges closer to parts of the northern Caribbean.