Five states are at risk of heavy flooding as Hurricane Erin rapidly approaches the East Coast. Newsweek's live blog is closed.

Hurricane Erin was poised to start a turn late Monday that meteorologists expect will keep it off the East Coast of the United States after a staggering weekend of rapid strengthening. Following behind in the Atlantic is another system the National Hurricane Center has given a medium chance of further development.

Erin has become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season with strong waves and rip currents possible along the East Coast of the United States as early as next week.