Downgraded Hurricane Erin lashes Caribbean with rain

WASHINTON, United States (AFP) -- 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. The first hurricane of what is expected to be a particularly intense Atlantic season, Erin briefly strengthened into a "catastrophic" Category 5 storm before its windspeeds weakened. It is expected to lash several Caribbean islands with heavy rain and strong winds but not make landfall. Hur...