Most long-term models predict Erin will curl away from Florida. Those projections often are unreliable more than a week out, and the hurricane center warned that doubt remains in the forecast. In the four- and five- day range, track forecasts have an average error of about 150 to 215 miles, forecasters said.

The August weather might seem ideal for a beach trip, but Hurricane Erin will bring widespread danger in coming days.

It’s been almost three years since Hurricane Ian swept through southwest Florida, causing mass destruction and staggering financial damage that the area is still recovering from.

Tropical Storm Erin has begun to strengthen and is expected to reach major hurricane intensity this weekend as it tracks just north of the Caribbean islands, where it could bring rain, gusty winds and high surf.

At the time, Aug. 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley was one of the worst storms to hit the Southwest Florida coast and surrounding areas. We look back.