Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a dangerous Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours.

While the compact hurricane's center wasn't expected to strike land, it threatened to dump flooding rains on the northeast Caribbean as it continued to grow larger.

While the compact hurricane’s center was not expected to strike land, it threatened to dump flooding rains in the northeast Caribbean.

Erin’s rapid jumps in strength show how hurricanes can intensify fast, weaken, and restrengthen as they move through ever-changing conditions.

Hurricane Erin could 'at least double or triple in size' next week and the track has shifted south, but remains likely to turn away from the East Coast.

Tropical Storm Erin has transformed into a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane and is expected to hit the East Coast next week. The storm formed in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean on Monday and was around 430 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds at 45 mph, the hurricane center reported.

Erin has intensified to a Category Four Hurricane as it makes its way toward the East Coast of the United States.

NOAA's GOES-19 satellite captured images of Hurricane Erin as it developed in the Atlantic and then rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 storm.

Hurricane Erin has developed into a category 5 hurricane as of Saturday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

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.

Forecasters are tracking a new disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean as Hurricane Erin, a Category 5 storm, undergoes an eyewall replacement cycle, according to a Saturday night update from the National Hurricane Center.