[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 35 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Pages 1168-1169]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency

August 31, 2008

    I'm here at the FEMA Headquarters where I just received a briefing, 
and I've also come to thank the people behind me for working the long 
hours that they're doing to make sure that we've got the preparations in 
place for Hurricane Gustav. There's been a lot of work done to get ready 
for the storm. Across the gulf coast, there's Governors and State 
officials and local leaders that are taking this storm very seriously 
and are preparing proactively.
    Secretary Chertoff and FEMA Administrator Paulison report that the 
Federal Government has prepositioned teams of emergency managers, 
doctors, ambulances, search and rescue teams, aircraft, and commodities 
throughout the region. There are millions of meals and millions of 
liters of water prestaged, as well as a lot of blankets and cots. In 
other words, there's a lot of preparations that have gone in, in 
anticipation of this storm.
    We're working with Governors to identify and secure out-of-State 
shelter for people in the path of the storm. Several States, including 
Missouri, Texas, and New Mexico, are in the--are preparing to and have 
accepted a lot of evacuees. People are leaving those areas that are of 
concern, and we're working hard to make sure that they have a place to 
go.
    The Army Corps of Engineers informs me that while the levees are 
stronger than they've ever been, people across the gulf coast, 
especially in New Orleans, need to understand that in a storm of this 
size there is serious risk of significant flooding.
    The message to the people of the gulf coast is, this storm is 
dangerous. There's a real possibility of flooding, storm surge, and high 
winds. And therefore, it is very important for you to follow the 
instructions and direction of State and local officials. Do not put 
yourself in harm's way or make rescue workers take unnecessary risks. 
And know that the American people stand with you, and that we'll face 
this emergency together.
    In the coming days, I encourage people across our Nation to help 
their neighbors in need. You can contribute to charities such as the Red 
Cross. You can volunteer your time to help those in need. And of course, 
you can pray for those who might be suffering.
    In light of these events, I will not be going to Minnesota for the 
Republican National Convention. I'm going to travel down to Texas 
tomorrow to visit with the Emergency Operations Center in Austin, where 
coordination among Federal, State, and local government officials is 
occurring. I intend to go down to San Antonio, where State and local 
officials are prepositioning relief materials for Texas and Louisiana. 
And I'll have a chance to visit with residents of both States who have 
been evacuated.

[[Page 1169]]

    I will not be traveling to Louisiana tomorrow because I do not want 
my visit to impede in any way the response of our emergency personnel. 
I've been talking to the Governors, yesterday and today; I also spoke 
with Mayor Nagin of New Orleans to make sure that they're getting 
everything they need from the Federal Government to prepare for what all 
anticipate will be a difficult situation. I hope to be able to go to 
Louisiana as soon as conditions permit.
    This Nation has come to know the strong and resilient spirit of the 
people of the gulf coast. They've made it through great challenges in 
the past, and they're going to make it through this one as well. In the 
meantime, all those preparing for this storm are in our thoughts and our 
prayers, from me and Laura and our whole Nation.
    Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 12:24 p.m. at the FEMA Operations Center. 
In his remarks, he referred to Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, LA. 
The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
transcript of these remarks.