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.

Erin is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year, and meteorologists are closely tracking its path and forecast.

Erin became the first Atlantic hurricane of the year on Friday morning as it churned toward Caribbean islands. The storm had winds of 75 mph by 11 a.m. Eastern, according to the National Hurricane Center.