The first hurricane of the Atlantic season is on track to bring heavy rain and potential flooding to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center.

With the potential to become a Category 4 hurricane, the threat of direct impact to the US is low, according to the weather service.

Residents along the East Coast can expect dangerous surf and rip currents along the Atlantic coast.

This month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updated its Atlantic hurricane season forecast to an expected 13-18 named storms, with 5-8 expected to become hurricanes and 2-5 becoming major hurricanes.

Erin is the fifth named storm of the season.

A typical Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, with seven becoming hurricanes and three becoming major hurricanes, according to the weather agency.