Florida braced for Hurricane Frances

Hurricane Frances ripped apart roofs, shattered windows and toppled trees as it raged through the Bahamas yesterday with violent winds that sparked panic and drove thousands to flee. At least one man was electrocuted in the storm.

The storm appeared to be weakening though late yesterday, shrinking to 105 mph sustained winds and forcing forecasters to downgrade it to a Category 2. Slowly, however, it crept toward Florida at just 4 mph with the chance it could strengthen.