The Air Force flew through Hurricane Erin as it approached the Caribbean.

Emergency responders flew into Erin after it rapidly intensified, becoming a Category 5 storm on Saturday, August 16.

Footage shows Hurricane Hunters flying above towering clouds, with clear blue sky and the sun visible in the centre.

The Air Force said: 'The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew into the eye of Hurricane Erin—and captured imagery of the breathtaking stadium effect. These missions provide critical data to the NHC to improve forecasts, helping keep communities safe before the storm makes landfall.'

By Sunday, Erin had weakened to a Category 3 hurricane. More than 50,000 utility customers in Puerto Rico were left without power as the freak weather battered the Caribbean, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The hurricane was located roughly 330 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk Island, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.

Erin was predicted to move east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas on Sunday night and into Monday. The storm was not expected to make landfall, though nearby islands were bracing for flooding.