Hurricane Ophelia was downgraded to a tropical storm again today as the indecisive weather system moved slowly off the Atlantic coast, its outer bands of rain not quite reaching land.

HURRICANE Ophelia hovered off the coast of the south-eastern US yesterday and could hit North Carolina later in the week, forecasters said.

Hurricane Ophelia lingered in the Atlantic early today but meteorologists said the storm could take a sharp turn toward the Carolinas, where a hurricane-watch was in effect.

Tropical Storm Ophelia strengthened into a hurricane again today as it charted a course that could lead it to the Atlantic coast of the US.

TRAFFIC streamed inland from the vulnerable Outer Banks of North Carolina yesterday as residents and visitors headed for higher ground ahead of the approaching Hurricane Isabel.