Hurricane Erin on Saturday strengthened to a catastrophic Category 5 storm as it barrelled towards the Caribbean, with weather officials warning of possible flash floods and landslides.The

Heavy rains were forecast to start late Friday in Antigua and Barbuda, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and southern and eastern Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Erin gained strength Friday as it churned in the Atlantic Ocean and bore down on the Caribbean, where it could bring heavy rain to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.