Hurricane 'Frances' slammed onto south Florida's east coast, downing power lines, uprooting trees and prompting US President George W. Bush to declare a "major disaster" in the state. After a day of powerful gusts, some of the fiercest winds of the storm and sheets of rain lashed the state's Atlantic coast Saturday night. And forecasters warned that as the huge eyewall of the storm moved inland, Frances could gain yet more steam and whip up tornadoes. Florida Governor Jeb Bush pointed out the furious storm looked set to head across the peninsula to western Florida, which is still mopping up from the death and devastation wrought by Hurricane Charley last month. The US president, who is the governor's brother, declared a state of "major disaster", which makes the worst affected coastal areas eligible for emergency federal aid. At the same time, hospital staff in Miami were preparing to assist anyone who may require medical evacuation from the Bahamas islands, which were still being pounded as the hurricane made landfall in Florida, and where several islands suffered severe flooding. Two people in the Atlantic island chain were reported killed by the slow-moving but large hurricane that packed winds of 165 kilometers (105 miles) per hour. Governor Bush warned that the storm "will do damage to a whole lot of places." Before the full fury of Frances even hit the coast, wind gusts of about 150 kilometers (90 miles) per hour uprooted trees, sent palm fronds flying onto highways, tossed shingles off roofs and downed power lines. Local television said as many as two million people were left without electricity. Authorities declared a curfew in several areas, including St Lucie county, which was slammed the hardest. In Miami-Dade county, Mayor Alex Penelas declared a state of emergency and said any employer forcing staff to work could face charges of criminal negligence. Late Saturday, he ordered police off the roads to ensure their safety and warned that anyone foolish enough to venture out during the storm could not expect immediate assistance if in trouble. Flooding was a major worry, with some areas expected to get about 50 centimeters (20 inches) of rain and coastal storm surge of up to two meters (six feet). At 11:00 pm Saturday (0300 GMT Sunday), the eye of Frances was 21 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of West Palm Beach, Florida. Thousands of people, including tourists, packed emergency shelters and many others sought refuge with family, friends or at hotels after authorities ordered 2.5 million people to evacuate their homes ahead of the storm. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Sail boats that have come loose from their moorings run aground along the 79th Street Causeway in Miami, Florida, as category 2 Hurricane Frances approached the Florida east coast. (AFP)