WASHINGTON — President Bush on Saturday declared a major disaster in Texas and Louisiana after Hurricane Ike flooded homes, knocked out power and caused a spike in gasoline prices.
“This is a huge storm that is causing a lot of damage not only in Texas but also in parts of Louisiana,” Bush said from the South Lawn of the White House after he had a video conference with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and David Paulison, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Later, at a news conference in Washington, Paulison issued warnings to people in the path of the weakening storm.
“It’s still a very dangerous time,” he said. “It still carries a lot of wind, a lot of rain, the possibility of tornadoes and lightning. . . . Just stay home. Just be patient, stay in your house and don’t go out too early until it’s safe to do so.”
Ike ravaged southeastern Texas and western Louisiana early Saturday. Thousands of homes and government buildings were flooded, roads were washed out, more than 3 million people lost power and several fires burned unabated. By afternoon, first responders in helicopters, airboats and vehicles were at work to save lives.
Bush spoke to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Houston Mayor Bill White on Saturday afternoon about the response to the storm, rescue efforts and plans to remove debris and restore power. Later, he received an update from Chertoff and Paulison about FEMA’s efforts.
Bush will meet again with Paulison and other officials in the Oval Office this morning to discuss how the federal government can help in the response. Bush will make another public statement after the meeting.
On Wednesday, before the storm hit, the president issued an emergency declaration for parts of Texas and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts.
The president’s disaster declarations for affected areas in Texas and Louisiana on Saturday meant federal aid would supplement state and local recovery efforts in many counties.
