Ophelia Weakens off Florida Coast, Could Still Strike U.S.

Hurricane Ophelia was downgraded to a tropical storm by the National Hurricane Center Friday, but forecasters said it would regain hurricane status and could strike the U.S. as soon as next week, the Associated Press reported.

The storm, which has remained stalled in the Atlantic off the northeast coast of Florida, with the center being located about 115 miles east of Daytona Beach, AP said.

The storm became a hurricane Thursday after developing sustained winds of 75 mph, one mile over the minimum threshold for hurricane strength, AP said.

Forecasters said that the storm would likely strengthen over the weekend and could loop back and strike the Atlantic Coast anywhere from Florida to the Carolinas, AP reported.

It could be the third hurricane to hit Florida so far in 2005 and the fifth to strike the U.S. coast, following Dennis, Emily, Irene and Katrina.