Nearly 155,000 utility customers are without power in Puerto Rico as Category 3 Hurricane Erin batters the Caribbean, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Hurricane Hunters have filmed themselves flying through the eye of Hurricane Erin.

Powerful rip currents could affect the US East Coast from Florida to the mid-Atlantic next week, despite the eye forecast to remain far offshore.

Erin rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean Saturday before weakening slightly to a Category 4 status, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Erin is heading for the United States and so, too, could some massive waves, reaching more than 100 feet in height.

The major storm, which is currently a Category 3 hurricane, is weakening as it approaches the United States.