COLUMBIA, S.C. -- As Hurricane Frances looms to the south, state emergency officials say damage estimates from last weekend's Tropical Storm Gaston were almost $17 million.

Gaston spun into the South Carolina coast near Mount Pleasant with near hurricane-force winds on Sunday, flooding some homes, cutting power to thousands and ripping down trees.

Gov. Mark Sanford has written to the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting a joint preliminary damage assessment to determine the cost of Gaston to governments and public utilities.

President Bush could declare South Carolina a disaster area, because more than $4 million in public expenses were incurred.