Hurricane Erin gained strength Friday as it churned in the Atlantic Ocean and bore down on the Caribbean, where it could bring heavy rain to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.Erin, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season this year,

Erin is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year, and meteorologists are closely tracking its path and forecast.

Two-and-a-half months into the season, the region has its first documented hurricane, and it could impact Long Island beaches.