Miami -
Tropical Storm Beryl slammed into Florida on Monday, toppling trees and downing power lines in the coastal city of Jacksonville and forcing the cancelation of Memorial Day commemorations.
After coming ashore near the Florida-Georgia state line overnight, Beryl lost steam and winds fell below 40 miles (65
kilometers) per hour, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said.
The NHC predicted the storm would turn weaken further as it barreled north into Georgia.
Beryl dumped heavy rains during the long Memorial Day holiday weekend, when millions of Americans usually head for the beaches to celebrate the start of summer.
The mayor of Florida's largest city of Jacksonville, Alvin Brown, signed an emergency order urging residents to stay home as he canceled Monday's Memorial Day events in tribute to fallen US soldiers, airmen and sailors.
Storm winds damaged the windows at Jacksonville's Museum of Contemporary Art and knocked down trees and power lines in various parts of the city, according to The Florida Times-Union newspaper.
About 38,000 customers in various areas in Jacksonville were without power, local media reports said.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority said all airlines, except JetBlue and Delta, had canceled incoming and outgoing flights. - Sapa-AFP