Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified into a rare category five hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 160mph (260km/h), and expected to gain even more strength.

Hurricane Erin remains a major hurricane as it passes just to the north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm is expected to maintain its intensity, and possibly strengthen during the next day or two.

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