Published on, Aug. 18 -- August 18, 2025 1:28 PM

Hurricane Erin, downgraded to a Category 3 storm on Sunday, is battering Caribbean islands with heavy rain, raising concerns over flash floods and landslides as it grows in size and strength.

The storm, the first hurricane of this year's intense Atlantic season, briefly reached a catastrophic Category 5 before wind speeds weakened, though forecasters warn it could intensify again in the coming days.

Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for the southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, while the hurricane is located about 275 miles north of San Juan, Puerto Rico, moving at dangerous sustained winds.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Erin's core is expected to pass east a...