Hurricane Erin is deemed a potential threat to Bermuda as a Category 4 storm, the Bermuda Weather Service warned.

According to the BWS 6am advisory, the storm was upgraded from Category 3 overnight and is now carrying wind speeds of about 132mph with gusts of up to 161mph.

The National Hurricane Centre said in its 7pm update that the storm came with “life-threatening surf” and that rip currents were expected across the eastern seaboard as Erin became “a very large hurricane this week”.

It added: “Erin is forecast to remain a large and dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week.”

The BWS said Hurricane Erin was about 734 miles south-southwest of the island and travelling west-northwest at about 13mph.

Hurricane Erin’s nearest point to Bermuda within the next 72 hours is expected to be at 6am on Thursday, when the storm will be about 341 miles west of the island.

The first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, Erin reached hurricane strength at about noon on Friday.

It grew into a Category 4 by Saturday afternoon and, according to AccuWeather, briefly strengthened into a Category 5 early on Sunday morning before weakening by daybreak.

Erin is not forecast to make landfall over the mainland US, but heavy rains, winds and powerful waves were still expected to hit the East Coast and the Caribbean.

Carnival Sunshine Cruise, which left Norfolk, Virginia in the US on Sunday, cancelled its planned stops to Bermuda on Wednesday and Thursday because of the storm.

It will now go to the Bahamas, visiting Celebration Key on Tuesday and Nassau on Wednesday, before returning to Norfolk on Saturday.

Royal Caribbean announced last week that it would reroute Vision of the Seas to avoid chances of encountering the storm.

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, said on Wednesday that the Emergency Measures Organisation would monitor Erin’s movements and stay abreast of any threats.

He warned member of the public to check their household preparedness plans, restock hurricane kits and review preparedness guidance available on the government’s website.

Belco, which is also monitoring the storm, said it had enacted its hurricane plan and would co-ordinate preparations ahead of any potential impacts.

This will include placing spare equipment in the western and eastern ends of the island as crew assignments are strengthened for fastest possible response.

• For official forecasts, visit the Bermuda Weather Service’s website atweather.bm