The White House says President George Bush will travel to Louisiana
Wednesday to look at the damage caused by Hurricane Gustav, which
lashed the Gulf coast state Monday with heavy winds and torrential
rains.
President Bush met with several members of his Cabinet Tuesday in
Washington to discuss the storm as well as its impact on energy
resources in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm shut down oil production
offshore and flooded parts of Louisiana and Mississippi.
The president said there are "encouraging signs" that Gustav caused
less damage to America's oil infrastructure than Hurricane Katrina
three years ago.
But he said Gustav should not cause the U.S. Congress to back away from
greater energy independence. The president said the storm's effect on
oil production shows that America needs to produce more of its own
energy, and that Congress should approve more offshore drilling.
Gustav, which killed at least seven people in the U.S., has now been
downgraded to a tropical depression. The storm is expected to continue
losing strength as it moves across western Louisiana and into Texas.
Curfews, however, remain in effect for many storm-damaged areas.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal says his state will defer to local
governments as to when people who fled the region will be advised to
return home.
He also said 18-wheel trucks loaded with water, food and tarps will be
stationed in storm-damaged areas for people who need supplies. Gustav
came ashore near the city of New Orleans with winds of 175 kilometers
per hour.
Before Gustav hit, authorities ordered a mandatory evacuation, fearing
the city's system of flood barriers could fail. But officials say the
levees, which are still being rebuilt, appear to have survived the
storm's onslaught.