Several million people have been urged to evacuate parts of southeastern Florida, where Frances was predicted to hit late this afternoon. In South Carolina, the state activated the emergency alert system to tell Florida motorists where they could find gasoline.

"Some filling stations in South Carolina were out of gas earlier today," Joseph Farmer, spokesman for the S.C. Emergency Management Division, said Friday.

"We've also gotten requests from Florida for assistance," he said. "We're not going to send any resources out of the state until we're sure there will be no impact here."

Frances was predicted to move northwest through Florida and Alabama, but officials in South Carolina remain on alert in case the huge storm takes an unexpected right turn.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley was planning to potentially send dozens of police officers, firefighters and public works employees to Florida. He said a two- or three-person team would go there as soon as the storm hits to see what is needed.

"We will not wait on their request because I can imagine the bedlam they will be experiencing if it keeps on this track," Riley said ata staff meeting. "It's what our community wants us to do because our citizens were so appreciative of the help we received after Hurricane Hugo (in 1989)."

Fire Chief Rusty Thomas and police Lt. Harold Hill said employees are ready to head to Florida on several hours' notice, taking their own food, shelter and supplies with them.

"We have about 57 officers on standby," Hill said. "Our guys are ready to move in and camp out for about a week."

American Red Cross chapters across the Lowcountry established shelters Friday, and agency representatives were at the S.C. Welcome Center near the Georgia border telling Florida residents where they could find services.

In Walterboro and several other towns along I-95, many of the lower-priced hotels already were full.

"Red Cross chapters throughout the state have been notified that they might need to open shelters along the I-95 corridor," said Bob Jones, spokesman for the American Red Cross Carolina Lowcountry Chapter. "Earlier today, we opened a shelter in St. George at the St. George United Methodist Church to shelter Florida residents."

Farmer said the state will coordinate aid requests from emergency management officials in Florida, pairing up the need for help with the assets that different S.C. counties have to offer.

"They just need to tell us what kind of help they need," said Jamie Thomas, a spokeswoman for the Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Division. "Because of our own preparedness efforts, a lot of those things are already in place."

The Salvation Army activated 16 disaster-response teams Friday, and will use a site in Ridgeland, S.C., to stage stocked mobile kitchen units and supply trailers through Sunday night.

Gov. Mark Sanford called Florida Gov. Jeb Bush Friday to offer assistance, and released a South Carolina National Guard C-130 cargo plane that Florida had requested, Sanford spokesman Will Folks said.

Folks also said the state is providing bottled water and maps at rest areas on I-95.

In the Lowcountry, Frances is expected to bring rain and wind Sunday and Monday.

Joe Calderone, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said residents can expect rain and winds in excess of 15 mph. In the lower part of the state, which will be on the edge of the storm's path, winds could reach 35 mph.

Calderone said beachgoers will notice large breakers, and will need to be on the lookout for dangerous riptides. Beach erosion also is likely.

While most residents have focused much of the week on Frances, there is another storm lurking at sea. Calderone said that Tropical Storm Ivan, which is still far out in the Atlantic, is expected to be north of the coast of Venezuela in about five days. After that, he said, it's anyone guess.

LOWCOUNTRY SHELTERS

There are two shelters set up to assist Florida residents or anyone seeking shelter from the storm:

IN ST. GEORGE: St. George United Methodist Church, 120 N. Parlor Ave., St. George, S.C. (843) 563-3213

IN ORANGEBURG: Orangeburg Wilkinson High School, 2850 Pelham Court, Orangeburg, S.C. (803) 534-6180 ); Red Cross: (803) 534-5735

There will be additional stand-by shelters in the event that St. George and Orangeburg shelters reach at least 75 percent capacity. For more information, a 24-hour number is (803) 939-1522.

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