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.

The storm is expected to continue strengthening until it reaches Category 4 strength, with windspeeds around 145 mph.

Storm Team 10 and the National Hurricane Center are tracking Tropical Storm Erin which has formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Erin has become the first hurricane of the season and is now forecast to become a Category 4 by early next week.