Fay's center was just off the east coast of Florida at 8 p.m. EDT, about 45 miles from Daytona Beach, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said, but it was gaining strength.

Worse, it was expected to take a slow turn to the northwest Wednesday night and move "very slowly across northern Florida Thursday and Friday," a center bulletin said.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from Fort Pierce, Fla., northward to Alatamaha Sound, Ga., and a tropical storm watch was in effect from the sound to the Savannah River in Georgia.

U.S. Air Force readings said Fay was sporting 60 mph winds, but the center said it may lose some strength if it swings back over Florida.

Earlier, Fay stalled over central Florida and flooding brought out the National Guard.

Fay struck the Florida Keys Monday night, then made landfall Tuesday near Naples.

A contingent of National Guard members arrived in central Brevard County Wednesday afternoon to assess flooding, bridge and canal integrity, the Orlando Sentinel reported.