from an email at KSC

--Hurricane Frances is a dangerous storm. Already a category 3 storm, she could elevate to a Category 4 or 5 before landfall. It is very early to determine with any degree of certainty where she will go, however one thing is for certain, we must be prepared. The Hurricane Center official track is less than 50 miles from KSC. Unlike Hugo, Isabel, and Floyd and other similar storms which have curved north before reaching Florida, there are no obvious upper air features to protect us—the door is open along the entire Florida coast.

Take the time now to take care of your home and family. If evacuation is deemed necessary, the announcement to do so could come as early as late Thursday or early Friday. This depends on the forward movement of the storm, and expected path of travel. Barrier Island evacuations are announced by Brevard County based on data received from the National Hurricane Center, and National Weather Service.

It is not to early to think about an evacuation location. Reservations in hotels can always be canceled, if not needed. I have enclosed a checklist of necessary items that you may need following a storm. Don't wait until the last minute to start preparing, do it now. Again, this is a very dangerous storm.