Hurricane Erin now a Category 4 storm
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Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas made an unplanned stop in Port Canaveral due to Hurricane Erin. FOX 35's Matt Trezza learned that passengers were informed of the itinerary change just days before docking.
Storms that ramp up so quickly complicate forecasting and make it harder for government agencies to plan for emergencies. Hurricane Erick, a Pacific storm that made landfall June 19 in Oaxaca, Mexico, also strengthened rapidly, doubling in intensity in less than a day.
The storm will remain a major hurricane through the middle of the week, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of 5 a.m. on Sunday, Hurricane Erin has weakened back to a Category 3 storm but has grown larger, the National Hurricane Center said.
U.S. shores are unlikely to see a direct hit, but a strong offshore hurricane can produce massive and dangerous waves well away from its center.
Erin reached Category 5 status before weakening but has brought significant rain to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
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Fox Weather on MSNMonster Hurricane Erin continues to barrel across Atlantic bringing life-threatening impacts to Caribbean
An eyewall replacement cycle is underway within Hurricane Erin as the monster storm continues to barrel across the Atlantic while bringing gusty winds and rain to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands after rapidly intensifying into a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane over the weekend.
Erin, the first hurricane of the season, is now forecast to become a Category 4 by Sunday. Here's where it could head in the week ahead.