Ernesto downgraded to tropical storm [View All]

By STEVENSON JACOBS, Associated Press Writer
24 minutes ago

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060827/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/tropical_weather_75


LES CAYES, Haiti - Ernesto was downgraded to a tropical storm Sunday afternoon but the Miami-based hurricane center it was expected to strengthen again and potentially reclaim hurricane status before reaching the southeastern coast of Cuba Monday morning.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for the entire Florida Keys — and warned further watches could soon be posted for other parts of the state. Visitors were ordered to leave the Keys on Sunday and Gov. Jeb Bush issued a state of emergency.

Earlier on Sunday, Ernesto had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and barely maintained hurricane strength. It weakened throughout the day and had winds of 60 mph by late afternoon.