Despite this, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Erin is growing in size, with tropical-storm-strength winds extending 205 miles from its centre. Storm-related hazards, including flash flooding and landslides, are expected in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

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

Hurricane Erin on Sunday weakened from a powerful Category 5 to a still-dangerous Category 3 with maximum sustained winds of 125 miles per hour, but the system has grown in size as it edges closer to parts of the northern Caribbean.