From a sloppy tropical storm into a Category 5 and now a disheveled mess on satellite imagery, Hurricane Erin has evolved in several different ways off our eastern shores. Here's what's really going on with Erin despite what you may have heard elsewhere.

Additional strengthening is expected as the storm is forecast to “remain a large and dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week,” the National Hurricane Center said.

While the category 4 storm is not expected to make landfall on the U.S. east coast, it will have an impact nonetheless. Dangerous high surf and rip currents are expected from Florida to New England throughout the week.

Hurricane Erin, the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, rapidly intensified Friday night, with the storm now reaching Category 5 strength with sustained winds of 160 mph.

Most of Erin’s intensification occurred during a 12- to 15-hour window overnight, according to Dan Pydynowski, a meteorologist at AccuWeather. By 5 p.m. Friday, Erin’s winds had remained only 75 mph.

The U.S. was expected to avoid a direct hit, but Dare County made the order due to the storm's expected "life-threatening impacts."

Erin is currently not forecast to hit land, but strong winds and heavy rain are expected in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.