Federal Officials Prepare for Gustav

Federal officials are preparing for tropical storm Gustav, communicating with each other and informing citizens as the storm gathers force and heads for the Gulf of Mexico, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said today.

“Federal officials here at the Homeland Security Council and then at the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Administration] and the National Hurricane Center are closely watching the progression of Gustav…and they’re preparing for its potential landfall” Perino said today at a news briefing.

Officials have kept in contact with each other as the storm approaches, Perino said.

“The FEMA Administrator is in Louisiana today, and the Secretary of Homeland Security will travel to the area this afternoon. Secretary [Michael] Chertoff spoke to Governor Jindal [R-La.] yesterday regarding the state’s preparation and their need for federal assistancen” Perino said.