Erin becomes first hurricane of the Atlantic season
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Erin became the first Atlantic hurricane of the year on Friday morning as it churned toward Caribbean islands. The storm had winds of 75 mph by 11 a.m. Eastern, according to the National Hurricane Center. It was forecast to bring potential for flooding rains to parts of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands this weekend.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.