Thousands of Floridians beginning the recovery process in the destructive path of Hurricane Frances were hampered by long lines, congested highways and sticky heat, while the White House and teams of relief workers promised that help was on the way.

President Bush was to meet Wednesday with relief workers in Fort Pierce and hurricane specialists in Miami while discussing a $2 billion disaster relief package for victims of both Frances and Charley, which ravaged southwest Florida last month.

Congress rushed to approve the emergency money late Tuesday and Bush was expected to sign the aid bill before leaving for Florida. The funding would provide direct aid for families, debris removal, repairs and emergency food and shelter, which has been a critical need for residents returning to battered homes.

"I wasn't ready to see such disaster to my house," said Agnes Johnston, a Port St. Lucie nurse whose three-bedroom home suf-

fered damage to its roof, ceilings and walls. "You look next door and see the next house in perfect condition. I wasn't ready for that either."

Many Floridians went home Tuesday for the first time since Frances pounded the state Sunday, jamming parts of Interstate 95, a major highway along the Atlantic coast. Federal Emergency Management Agency workers trying to reach Martin County on the southeast coast got stuck in traffic.

About 3 million Floridians learned it could take up to a week to restore power to all, with the longest wait for Daytona Beach. For many, there was plenty of waiting for gasoline, for ice and water and for the chance at buying a portable generator all amid high humidity and temperatures in the 90s.

"It's a very low comfort level," said Richard Freeburg of Jensen Beach, who waited 1 1/2 hours

Tuesday for ice. "It's like a sauna inside your home and people really aren't happy."

One man was so desperate for ice that he shot the lock off a freezer.