Erin became a "catastrophic" Category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean on Saturday and is expected to strengthen further during the day, the National Hurricane Center reported. The storm is currently 105 miles (170 kilometers) north of Anguilla with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (255 kph).

Tropical Storm Erin is expected to become a major hurricane this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Hurricane Erin is now a Category 4 storm, rapidly intensifying overnight into early Saturday morning as it moves closer to the U.S. East Coast with sustained winds up to 155 mph.

Hurricane Erin is currently not forecast to hit land, but strong winds are affecting nearby islands, prompting forecasters to warn of possible flooding and landslides.

As of the latest advisory on Aug. 11, Invest 97L has a high chance — 90% — chance of strengthening in the next seven days.

The National Hurricane Center is predicting Invest 97L could become a tropical depression or tropical storm as early as later this morning, Aug. 11.

Tropical Storm Erin -- which is forecast to strengthen into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season by Saturday morning -- won't have a direct impact on the U.S., but it will bring dangerous rip currents to the East Coast.