The NHC said it currently expected Erin to become a Category 4 storm later Saturday but to eventually swerve away from the continental United States.

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Erin became a major hurricane over the weekend and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. The system rapidly intensified from a tropical storm on Friday into a category 5 hurricane Saturday, gaining 90 miles per hour of sustained winds in just a 24 hour period.

Hurricane Erin is forecast to continue growing in size, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 50 miles from its center.

Hurricane Erin pelted parts of the Caribbean and was forecast to create dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast this week.