The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are going to the southern Caribbean in a show of force.

Monster Hurricane Erin is causing cruise disruptions, and bringing a lesser-known hurricane hazard to Bahamas beaches.

While Erin is expected to take a northward turn in the Atlantic, a new system off the coast of Africa has the National Hurricane Center's attention.

That’s what some may be asking in light of the news that a passenger was injured on a slide aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas ship earlier in August. The aftermath of the scene was captured on video, with fellow passengers reacting in horror as water gushed out of a hole in the attraction. “Stop the slide,” yelled one.

Offshore Hurricane Erin was downgraded to a Category 3 storm early Sunday, as rain lashed Caribbean islands and weather officials warned of possible flash floods and landslides.It also warned of "locally considerable flash and urban flooding,

It quickly powered up from a tropical storm to a Category 5 in a single day, the National Hurricane Center said.

Two U.S. cruise passengers died Friday in separate drowning incidents at Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key resort in the Bahamas.

Forecasters said Erin should begin to slowly weaken as it increased wind shear. However, it's predicted to remain a major hurricane until late next week.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Erin strengthened into a powerful Category 4 hurricane in the Caribbean on Saturday and continues to intensify, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm is 150 miles northeast of Anguilla with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. It is moving west-northwest at 20 mph (31 kph).

With African cuisine and cultural events, Black Caribbeans are engaging on a deeper level with their ancestral heritage.