Hurricane Ida Projected Path

MIAMI – Hurricane Ida has been downgraded to a tropical storm, weakening as it dumps heavy rains over Nicaragua.

The storm was at hurricane strength when it hit the country’s Atlantic coast around sunrise Thursday, destroying several dozen homes and forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people.

On Thursday afternoon, Ida was clocking 65 mph (100 kph) winds. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami say it was centered about 75 miles (125 km) north of Bluefields, Nicaragua, and had moved little since making landfall.

No deaths or injuries have been reported because of the storm, which has forced the evacuation of more than 3,000 people. Ida was expected to weaken more as it moves across the mainland.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below. Read more