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Storm Effects From Frances Could Be Severe09-02-04 | News
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Storm Effects From Frances Could Be Severe


Florida residents are boarding up windows in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Frances, which was expected to hit the state's west coast by Friday, Sept. 3. Photo: Agence France Presse.

Floridians on Friday were bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Frances, which was expected to bring even more damage than the $11 billion bill Hurricane Charley delivered in August.

The storm was expected to strike land in Palm Beach County, Brevard County or Broward County, where more than 2.5 million people have been told to evacuate.

Residents were scrambling for plywood, flashlights, batteries, bottled water and other supplies. Some stores were reported to be running low on items.

Already on Wednesday, landscape architect Alex Knight had left his Coral Gables office early to join a 20-minute queue at a nearby gas station. He then headed to Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse to stock up on batteries and plastic tarps.

??????EUR??,,????????(R)????I figured I'm going to be outside a lot,??????EUR??,,????????(R)?????? Knight told the Miami Herald.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush declared a state of emergency even before the storm hit. Earlier, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie urged islanders to prepare for what could be ??????EUR??,,????????(R)????the most intense hurricane in (the islands') recorded history.??????EUR??,,????????(R)??????

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