Just a rule of thumb. Using the direction of storm movement as 12 oclock on a watch, the most dangerous wind damage area is from 12 to 3 oclock. With the counter clockwise rotation of the storm, and the storm moving generally SE to NW, you can expect (again VERY generally) that winds will be lighter on the south side of the storm.

BUT, also to be considered is that Frances is packing 145mph winds (NE side) which means the South side will still have winds in excess of 100mph. Not a storm to be taken lightly.

I suspect that the evacuation orders that have gone out are for the coastal areas for storm surge, not so much for the expected wind. If your house is built to code within the past few years, you are not in a storm surge or flood prone area, AND are not under a mandatory evacuation order, it may be best to ride this out. Take usual precautions, have bathtub filled with water for drinking, fuel for grill, generator w/fuel if you have one, board windows and hang out in interior room (bathroom?) during actual storm. Think tornados....

By staying put (again unless mandatory evac ordered), you keep from stressing the evac routes and shelters for those that really need it and you won't have the problem of not being allowed back onto your property by the local police after the storm.

Just my .02 worth what you paid for it.

Jim Anderson